KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Each year, thousands of members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States volunteer their time at local Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities to help ensure their fellow veterans receive the compassion and support they deserve. The VFW again wants to recognize their selfless contributions as VA Volunteers of the Year, nominations for which must be submitted in writing to the VFW’s National Veterans Service directorate by December 9, 2016.
“Our selfless volunteers have been making an immeasurable difference in the lives of countless veterans since the VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) program was established back in 1946,” said VFW National Commander Brian Duffy. “Whether they’re delivering cards and candy, hosting movie nights and other events, or just simply lending an ear, these extraordinary individuals have earned the utmost respect and appreciation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for their dedication to America’s veterans and deserve our praise and recognition.”
Of the nominees, one male and one female volunteer will receive the honor of being named VA Volunteers of the Year for the extraordinary volunteer services they have provided to our nation’s veterans. Nominees must be regularly-scheduled volunteers who participate in established VFW assignments through the VAVS program at a qualifying facility or program. These can include VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, veterans’ community living centers, homeless veterans’ programs, and programs or services for veterans confined to their homes, as well as other community functions and events recognized by VAVS.
Dale Henry, of VFW Post 8884 in Vinton, Iowa, and Mariann Hamann, of VFW Post 7546 Auxiliary in Dearborn Heights, Mich., were honored as last year’s award recipients. Henry contributed nearly 2,100 volunteer hours over four years with the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, and Hamann volunteered more than 700 hours to Ann Arbor’s VA Healthcare System over one year.
Nominations for the VFW’s VA Volunteers of the Year must be submitted in narrative format not to exceed 500 words, with the name of the nominee and the VFW marked in the upper left-hand corner, and also include a completed nomination support form. Nominations must be sent to James Moss, VFW National Veterans Service assistant director for health policy, by close of business Dec. 9, 2016. Nominations can be submitted electronically to jmoss@vfw.org or by mail to VFW National Veterans Service, Attn: James Moss, 200 Maryland Ave., NE, Washington, D.C. 20002.
To learn more about the VAVS program and how to become a VFW volunteer, visit www.vfw.org/VolunteerService.