Volunteers can help to aid our veterans in many ways. It is a form of a "thank you" for their service.
By Joseph J. Hannagan
Over the last few years I have been involved with the Salem County Marine Corps League volunteering time to be with our disabled veterans at the Wilmington, Delaware, Veterans Administration Medical Center Nursing Home.
Joseph J. Hannagan Jr. says you can aid veterans by volunteering. (File Photo) The Marine Corps League, along with the Marine Corps League Ladies Auxiliary has several programs such as a regular bi-monthly Bingo Afternoon, Annual Carnival and a Christmas Party to entertain our disabled veterans.
These events are funded on the most part by the Marine Corps Rose Program where volunteers are stationed at the Acme and Walmart in Pennsville and Woodstown accepting donations for a Marine Corps Rose. We thank everyone for their donations to support these activities.
What is the VAVS Program?
The Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service Program under the management of the Department of Veterans Affairs provides for community participation in the VA program of care and treatment of veteran patients.
Through this program, community volunteer efforts and resources are combined to serve American veterans with dignity and compassion. VAVS volunteers assist veterans by augmenting the VA staff in such settings as hospital wards, nursing homes, ambulatory care, domiciliary, community-based volunteer programs, end of life programs, veterans outreach centers, national cemeteries and Veteran Benefit Administration (VBA) regional offices.
VAVS goals
Some of the goals of the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service Program include:
* Provide supplemental services, in a timely manner, through a volunteer program. This is done in cooperation with individuals, veterans, service organizations, businesses, educational institutions and community organizations through human resources, gifts and donations.
* Earn the respect and gratitude of the veterans who have served.
Over 140,000 volunteers have given more than 11 million hours in service to America's veterans. It is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that these VAVS participants provide to VA patients. VAVS volunteers are a priceless asset to the nation's veterans and to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
What will you do?
Our veterans put everything on the line to protect our freedom. We may never be able to repay them for their sacrifice, but we can show them just how much we care and appreciate them and all that they have done.
Everyone can do something to show veterans how much we appreciate their service. What will you do?
The program is committed to engaging American Citizens in service and provide lasting benefits to the veterans and communities in which they live, through volunteer service.
Please call 301-683-4030 for more information.
A special "thank you" goes to William Schiffbauer and Mary Ellen Boone for heading up our VAVS program for the Salem County Marine Corps League and the Marine Corps League Ladies Auxiliary.
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I would like to apologize for reporting poor ratings on the following veterans' charities. They now receive an excellent review of their operations by Charity Navigator.org.
* DAV - Disabled American Veterans
* AMVETS - National Service Foundation
* American Veterans Relief Fund
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Joseph Hannagan Jr. is Salem County Veterans Affairs Officer. Veterans can contact Hannagan at his office by calling 856-339-8603, via cell phone at 609-774-7450 or via email at Joseph.Hannagan@salemcountynj.gov
