NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK:  AMVETS ENCOURAGES COMMUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER WITH THEIR LOCAL VA

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2009— AMVETS, one of the nation’s leading veterans’ service organizations, is encouraging communities across the country to volunteer with their local VA medical center as part of this year’s National Volunteer Week.

Since taking office last summer, AMVETS National Commander John C. Hapner has made it his personal mission to mobilize AMVETS’ membership in service to veterans nationwide. Hapner wants to extend this beyond AMVETS membership and the veterans’ community by encouraging all citizens to become involved with the VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) program, where anyone can volunteer to make a difference for our nation’s heroes.

“In honor of this special week, I challenge my fellow AMVETS and citizens across the country to come out in force to show our sick and hospitalized veterans that you care,” said Hapner. “If each of us takes just a couple hours out of our busy schedules, imagine the difference we could make.”

Founded in 1946, VAVS is the largest volunteer program in the federal government, providing care and assistance to veterans at VA health care facilities nationwide.

“I am very proud and grateful for the services VA volunteers play in the care [our veterans] receive within VA,” said Laura Balun, national director of VAVS. “Volunteers throughout the VA system provide supplemental support to veterans and their families. We would love to have others join this very noble mission, serving those who served.”

AMVETS is one of the 60 major veteran, service, and civic organizations on the VAVS national advisory committee, and has been active in the VAVS program for decades. In 2008, more than 2,500 AMVETS members contributed more than 170,000 hours of community service through the program thanks to the hard work of AMVETS National VAVS Representative Billie Goodwin and all his volunteer staff.

Anyone is eligible to volunteer, and it is as easy as contacting your local VA health care facility. To become involved with the VAVS, or to learn more visit: www.volunteer.va.gov.  

About AMVETS:    
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.

Media Contact:
National
Communications Director
Jay Agg
(301) 683-4035
jagg@amvets.org

Deputy Communications Director
Ryan Gallucci
(301)683-4073
rgallucci@amvets.org