`Doing something important': with 6,000 regularly scheduled volunteers, VFW is key to VA's Voluntary Service's success

VFW Magazine, Feb, 2003 by Janie Blankenship

When Harry Kelley to retire from truck driving two years ago due to back injuries, he knew he had to find something to busy himself. That's when he signed on as a VFW volunteer with the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS).

"After I retired, I was just sitting around looking at four walls" the Vietnam veteran and member of Post 534 in Joplin, Mo., said. "That's why I decided to do something for someone else."

Once or twice a week, Kelley drives veterans four hours to Kansas City's VA Medical Center for treatment. And with a career record of 2.5 million miles accident-free, Kelley is the kind of guy you want driving you hundreds of miles in one day for an appointment.

On average, Kelley has three passengers per trip. While they are taking care of business at the hospital, he wanders around the waiting room visiting with other veterans.

"My father was a POW in WWII, so I like to visit with other WWII vets" said Kelley, who served off the Vietnam coast on the USS Coral Sea.

One of VFW's 6,000 regularly scheduled VAVS volunteers, who, combined, donated 1 million volunteer hours last year, Kelley volunteers for the same reason many others do.

"I do this because if I ever need help someday, I would hope someone would do the same for me," he said.

And then there are those like Elmer Costigan, a VAVS volunteer for 18 years. "It actually does me as much good as it does the patient" said the WWII vet who served with the 8th Armored Division.

Costigan, a member of Post 1000 in Independence, Mo., is an escort at the Kansas City facility. He said he prefers his escort position to others because he has more interaction with patients.

John Mika, another volunteer escort, concurs: "I feel that I'm actually doing something really important here."

A member of Post 6840 in Raytown, Mo., Mika has volunteered once a week for eight years. Furthermore, the WWII vet accompanies his Post members once a month to the hospital to serve sandwiches and play bingo with patients.

Having served in the Navy on Saipan and Okinawa, Mika knows how critical it is to help veterans. I had five brothers who also fought,' he said. "One died at Eniwetok Atoll and the other in Korea."

Going the Extra Mile

When VAVS was established in 1946 by Gen. Omar Bradley, then head of the Veterans Administration, its aim was simple: to go the extra mile for patients in VA hospitals. That's why VFW was one of the five organizations that helped in the program's establishment.

Furthermore, VFW has remained a vital VAVS supporter for more than 56 years. "With the aging veterans population, VFW volunteers become more and more important," said Bill Bradshaw, director of VFW's National Veterans Service. "When you're not feeling well, it's nice to have someone to talk to who understands what you've been through. We bring that to VAVS--veterans helping veterans."

Volunteer opportunities vary by VA location. For instance, the Topeka (Kan.) VA Medical Center has several options to choose from:

* read to a patient;

* help feed long-term care residents;

* act as an escort for those moving about the facility;

* host birthday parties for patients;

* man a clothes closet for homeless veterans who come in for treatment;

* provide camaraderie by playing cards and shooting pool; and

* volunteer to assist patients with income tax returns in January.

At facilities that don't offer long-term care, opportunities are likely to be fewer.

`Still Serving'

For seven years, Korean War veteran Ray Condi has been doing his part to assist his fellow veterans through VAVS.

A member of Post 7900 in Kansas City, Mo., Condi understands what many of the men he helps have been through. Having served with the 32nd Inf. Reg., 7th Inf. Div., in Korea, he suffered his share of ailments. Severe frostbite and other maladies left him with lasting disabilities.

"I do this because it makes me feel like I'm still serving," he said. "That, and I really enjoy visiting with the other guys. I've made some friends here, that's for sure."

With VFW's long tradition of service to VAVS, it's a program that is sure to continue its effectiveness as long as there are veterans in need of care.

If you're interested in volunteering your time to VAVS, contact: Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service, 810 Vermont Ave. NW,, Washington, DC 20420, (202) 273-8952 or visit the Web site at www.va.gov/volunteer.> Other Ways to Connect With Patients

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