VA Summer of Service: Secretary launches new volunteer initiative

This summer, VA is renewing our commitment to America’s Veterans, and we’re asking for our partners’ help in honoring that committment,

VA Secretary Bob McDonald officially kicked off the VA Summer of Service campaign on Tuesday during the dedication of the new Orlando VA Medical Center.

“In the next three months, we’ll be turning the spotlight on VA Volunteers to thank them for the work they do and to show others how they can help as well,” McDonald said. “Last year, more than 1,000 people volunteered here in Orlando, working over 100,000 hours – as much as 72 fulltime employees. Nationally, 76,000 VA volunteers helped out last year at hospitals and clinics, at cemeteries, in Veterans’ own homes.

“Our goal for this Summer of Service is 100,000 volunteers by the end of August.”

The new nationwide initiative is designed to build upon VA’s existing partnerships to grow the number of individuals and organizations serving Veterans in their communities.

VA takes its commitment to care for the nation’s Veterans and their families very seriously, and this summer, we invite all of you to join in that commitment. Community by community, state by state, our nation can work together to serve Veterans during the VA Summer of Service.

• Look for VA at community events and engage our employees and partners.
• Reach out to your local medical facility or National Cemetery to find out what you can do to help.
• Check out #VASummerOfService on Vantage Point, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and join VA in caring for America’s Veterans.