Unsung heroes: Selfless service by volunteers

More than 141,000 Veterans receive their care at Tennessee Valley VA, supporting the needs of Veterans across 55 counties in middle Tennessee, 13 in southern Kentucky and five in northern Georgia. It is a mission that would not be accomplished without volunteers.

Four-hundred twenty-three volunteers support the Center for Development and Civic Engagement throughout the week at any given time. That number does not include the unscheduled volunteers from local businesses, charities and others who donate their time to help and encourage Veterans.

These groups provide meals, perform music, support Veterans during holidays, and more, to lift the spirits of Veterans receiving treatment at one of the 23 health care facilities.

“I always tell people when they come in to volunteer that most of these Veterans need social time. The best thing we can offer them is an ear to talk to them, let them open up. They don’t expect any answers. They just want someone to listen and I think that’s what we need to offer,” said Gary Richmond, who has volunteered at Alvin C. York VA for 25 years after serving in the Army for 20 years. For him, volunteering has been a rewarding chance to continue to serve. “I decided to come out here and try volunteering for a while to see what else the future may hold. I was able to come here and enjoy helping my fellow Veterans and help my family at the same time.”

“I came here for treatment 10 years ago and I wanted to give back.”

Mike McAfee has been volunteering at York for six months. He was drafted and deployed during the Vietnam War and now volunteers his time to his fellow Veterans.

“I came to this facility for my treatment about 10 years ago and I wanted to give back, so I volunteered,” McAfee shared.

Volunteers donate their time for a variety of reasons, but all share a common goal of supporting and making a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families. McAfee believes he still has a chance to continue to serve and give back to the community.

“A lot of these Veterans aren’t as well off as I am. I am able to be mobile and do things. I just wanted to say thank you to VA for the good treatment I’ve received here,” he continued.

Volunteers are often the first person to greet Veterans when they enter a care facility. It is their guidance and understanding that helps navigate Veterans and their families to medical appointments. It is their friendly demeanor and candor that lets Veterans know they are appreciated.

“I call myself the ‘Walmart greeter’ because we see every patient that comes in and we try to assist them to wherever their appointment might be. If it’s a family member, we get them hooked up with the patient or to answer any questions they may have,” Richmond said.

For the Veterans, their time and effort will never be forgotten

There are many tedious and sometimes mundane tasks volunteers provide and complete that are vital to ensuring safe and efficient care for Veterans.

Donnie Ashley, Veteran and volunteer at Chattanooga VA clinic, enjoys volunteering because his efforts allow staff and other volunteers to focus on more complex responsibilities.

“Most of my time is spent in the office working on paper, which is not a real glorious job. Helping with the mundane work allows other volunteers to go out and do Veteran escort and assist other services. We all work together,” Ashley said.

What makes volunteers special is their connection to Veterans. The bond of brotherhood and sisterhood in service goes beyond generations and branches. It’s a common foundation or sense of humor that all Veterans can understand.

The 423 volunteers do not work for a paycheck or compensation, but their sacrifice and service help VA provide world-class care to thousands of Veterans daily. For the Veterans they assist, their time and effort will never be forgotten.

Apply to volunteer at a VA health care facility near you.