Alaska youth volunteered for 800 hours on the way to Air Force career

Jacob Schwartz began his Alaska VA youth volunteer journey over eight years ago. It was his father, nurse Mark Schwartz, a 30-year Alaska VA employee, who told him about the many ways he could volunteer. Over the course of those eight years, he accumulated over 800 volunteer hours and a few accolades.

In 2018, the younger Schwartz was recognized with a Shining Star Award for his selfless and rapid response in assisting VA during response to a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. He provided patients, caregivers, family members and staff with compassionate care and reassurance of a safe environment over a seven-hour period. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Schwartz volunteered to assist with vaccination clinics. He evaluated more than 741 vaccine candidate’s screening data, escorted patients to vaccination areas and monitored patients for adverse reactions post-vaccination.

He gave up three of his Saturdays to ensure the medical center had additional hands on deck to meet the needs of those seeking assistance from the vaccination clinic.

In January 2022, Schwartz was awarded Volunteer of the Month for providing patient assistance and wheelchair movement between VA clinics and Joint Base Elmendorf-Fort Richardson.

“I want to thank the Veterans for allowing me to serve them.”

“I truly want to thank Alaska VA and the Center for Development & Civic Engagement staff and employees,” Schwartz said. “Most importantly, I want to thank the Veterans for allowing me to serve them. I have always had enormous respect for Veterans and volunteering my time to make their days better was very worthwhile to me. The experiences I have been afforded have help guide me to join the Air Force and continuing my passion of becoming a military physician. I would highly encourage any youth who is seeking a meaningful experience to contact their local VA to see what volunteer opportunities may be available. There are many diverse assignments waiting for you to interact with Veterans.”

Schwartz will be joining the Air Force under Health Professions Scholarship Program scholarship and is attending the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

His volunteer experience and interactions with Veterans at Alaska VA made such an impression on him that he decided to have his commissioning ceremony at VA. During the ceremony, members of his family, employees, Veterans and volunteers were able to support him with words of encouragement and appreciation for his volunteer efforts.