What is VAVS?

The Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) was founded in 1946 as a program to provide for our nation's veterans while they are cared for by VA health care facilities.

VAVS is the largest volunteer program in the Federal government. More than 350 national and community organizations support VAVS.

Since 1946, VAVS volunteers have donated 495 million hours of service.

As VA has expanded its care of veteran patients into the community, volunteers have become involved. They assist veteran patients by augmenting staff in such settings as end of life care programs, foster care, community-based volunteer programs, hospital wards, nursing homes, and veteran outreach centers.

VAVS volunteers are special and generous people. They and their organizations annually contribute an estimated $40 million in gifts and donations.

In FY2000, all VAVS volunteers contributed a total of 13,190,568 hours of service to veterans.

Monetary estimates aside, it is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that these VAVS volunteers give to veteran patients.

VAVS volunteers are a priceless asset to America's veterans and to the VA.

For more information about the IALOH and VAVS:

Chairman: STEVEN N. DORFMAN (MIDIAN)
11809 E. KILLARNEY ST.
WICHITA, KS.  67206-4344
316-640-0817
steve.dorfman@cox.net

Advisor: VIRGIL L. JOHNSTON, P.C. (EL ZARIBAH)
7063 WEST CINNABAR AVE.,
PEORIA, AZ. 85345-6895
623-486-8367
v.johnson1@cox.net

Member: RICK CONN, P.C. (YAARAB)
2683 BROCKLIN DRIVE
GRAYSON, GA. 30017
rickconn@bellsouth.net

Units Involved

What is VAVS and How to get Started

IALOH VAVS Articles

LOH VAVS Heroes

VA Cemeteries

VA Web Site

VA VAVS Web Page

helpful for veterans not in hospitals

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Updated July 12, 2010