WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is encouraging community members, individuals, businesses and organizations to help support hospitalized Veterans nationwide by turning good intentions into action on this International Volunteer Day Dec. 5.

Each year, thousands of Veterans spend the holidays at VA inpatient facilities away from family and friends.

“The holidays can be an especially lonely and challenging time for hospitalized Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Volunteering is a meaningful way to provide kindness and get into the overall spirit of giving by showing these Veterans that they are not forgotten.”

International Volunteer Day, designated by the United Nations in 1985, aims to encourage people around the world to volunteer in their communities. Through VA’s Voluntary Service program, upwards of 61,000 volunteers have donated more than 8 million hours to Veterans nationwide this year. To learn more about VA’s many volunteer opportunities, visit VA’s Voluntary Service website.

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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.

Contact us online through Ask VA

Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.

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