2011 VAVS 

Annual Report

Department of Veterans Aff airs

Veterans Health Administration

Veteran Aff airs Voluntary Service

810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20420

202.461.7300 ph

202.495.5323 fax

www.volunteer.va.gov
Letter from the Director

Every year, reporting on the accomplishments and contributions of the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) gives me great pride. 

VA volunteers are an impressive and inspirational group of people who generously give their 

time and talents to help us better serve Veterans and their families. As we refl ect on the past 

year, it has been a very rewarding and exciting year for VAVS. This report includes accomplishments from the past year, program statistics, and our future goals. It is your commitment and 

support that makes all of this possible. 

As we look forward to new challenges in the year ahead, we welcome your continued 

involvement. All of our past accomplishments, and all that is to come in the future, is 

made possible by you, our faithful volunteers, community partners, and generous supporters.

 Each one of you makes a diff erence! Thank you for all you do to serve Veterans and their families.

 Laura B. Balun 

 Director, Voluntary Service Offi ce

What Is VAVS?

T he Department of Veterans Aff airs Voluntary Service (VAVS) Program, one of the largest volunteer program in the 

Federal government, has provided 65 years of service to America’s Veterans seeking care in VA health care facilities. Since 1946, VAVS volunteers have donated over 736 million hours of service. With more than 350 national and 

community organizations supporting the program, VAVS is also advised by a 

National Advisory Committee, composed of 55 major Veteran, civic, and service 

organizations.

VAVS volunteers and their organizations contribute gifts and donations, which 

supplement VA appropriations to medical centers, clinics, and community living centers. These signifi cant contributions allow the Department of Veterans 

Aff airs to assist direct patient care programs, as well as support services and 

activities that may not be fi scal priorities from year to year. In 2011, volunteer 

contributions and donations combined total exceeded over $354 million. 

As VA has expanded its care of Veteran patients into the community, volunteer 

roles have also expanded. They assist Veteran patients by augmenting staff in 

medical care foster homes and respite programs, as well as hospital units, community living centers, outpatient clinics, community-based activities, and palliative care programs. Volunteers are also providing assistance at our VA national 

cemeteries, Veterans outreach centers, and VA regional offi ces.

T he National Advisory Committee (NAC) of the Department of Veterans Aff airs Voluntary Service was established by VA 

Circular No. 117, May 17, 1947, and became a Federally chartered advisory committee on February 5, 1975.

The NAC provides advice to the Secretary of Veterans Aff airs, through the Undersecretary of Health, on the coordination 

and promotion of volunteer activities within VA health care facilities, along with other matters relating to volunteerism. It 

also keeps the offi cers and members of participating organizations informed of volunteer needs and accomplishments.

The NAC Executive Committee is made up of 20 member organizations that monitor and perform oversight of the NAC 

membership policies and procedures. Members of the Executive Committee are appointed by the Chairperson of the 

NAC.

VAVS National Advisory Committee

Laura B. Balun, Director Laura B. Balun, Director

Voluntary Service Offi Voluntary Service Offi ce

Our Mission Our Mission

To provide a structured To provide a structured

Volunteer Program under Volunteer Program under

the management of VA the management of VA

compensated employees compensated employees

in cooperation with com- in cooperation with community resources to serve munity resourcesto serve

America’s Veterans and America’s Veterans and

their families with dignity their families with dignity

and compassion. and compassion.
FY 2011 Priorities and Accomplishments

Patient-Centered Care Concierge Services 

With patient-centered care in mind, develop volunteer assignments around concierge services. 

Develop tools for VAVS to have a standard look to the volunteer folder.

Provide opportunities for volunteers to assist in Veterans Benefi ts Administration.

Veterans Benefi ts Administration Assistance

Develop assignments to support Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT).

Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT)

Approximately 44 stations have developed concierge services, in fact in Tucson, they received a grant 

(and have shared the write up with all VAVS chiefs for 

their use) to fund the concierge service program. They 

have developed volunteer PDs, have funded uniforms, 

and purchased recognition items as an incentive for 

the volunteers in that program. We have asked Ms. 

Brookshire to present the program as a workshop to 

other volunteers and staff at the next National Advisory 

Committee Meeting in March 2012. Sample concierge 

services are Truthpoint Surveyors, 11th Hour, Wayfi nding Ambassadors, Hero Cart and Adopt-A-Veteran just 

to name a few. Most VA facilities include concierge 

services needs in their local ‘wish/needs list’.

VAVS met with Veterans Benefi t Administration (VBA) offi cials and have off ered to develop additional volunteer assignments to indirectly assist with the “Backlog.” VBA offi cials were skeptical about volunteer assignments dealing with claims. Volunteers are trained across the board in 

privacy and have proper background checks. Volunteers are unable to work on claims, for that 

would be seen as a confl ict of interest. VBA offi cials sought guidance from General Counsel and 

there has been no further interest from VBA to develop additional assignments. We will pursue 

this once again, now they have a recently appointed Under Secretary for Benefi ts. A few facilities 

do have volunteers assisting with general offi ce work in the local VBA offi ces.

Currently 21 VA facilities have volunteers assisting Patient 

Aligned Care Teams in a supplemental capacity. Just a few 

of the assignments are: Cancer Support Ambassador, Hospice 

Support, Surgical Wait Ambassador (Recovery Room), Emergency Room Ambassador/Escort, Vet Center (Veterans Court 

Program Support), My HealtheVet Program, Computer Training 

Program for Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) and Vocational 

Rehabilitation Veterans.

This priority is on hold until the next Fiscal Year (FY), because the person who was assigned to coordinate the task group is not available until 2012, due to the tremendous time he and his staff 

devoted to the National Golden Age Games. Some stations have already completed this task, but 

we have not developed a standard look and feel to the folder at the present time. We have developed a standard format for the VISNs to report their statistics.

Volunteer Folder Standardization
Department of Veterans Aff airs

Veterans Health Administration

Veterans Aff airs Voluntary Service

810 Vermont Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20420

202.461.7300 ph

202.495.5323 fax

www.volunteer.va.gov FY 2012 Priorities

• Support the Secretary’s 

initiative of eliminating 

homelessness.

• Improve access to care 

through recruiting 

drivers for the volunteer 

transportation network.

• Standardize and promote 

VISN volunteer statistics.

• Assist with voter 

registration for Veteran 

patients.

• Focus on VSS training for 

VAVS staff .

Veterans Concerts

Veterans Appreciation and Welcome Home Celebration

I

n 2011, 17 concerts were held across the nation as part of 

National Salute to Veteran Patients, an annual recognition by 

the Department of Veterans Aff airs to honor men and women 

who served this country. National Salute honors Veterans 

and promotes volunteerism at VA medical centers and clinics 

across the country. 

Valentines for Veterans (V4V) Concerts held across the nation 

featured performances by 15 diff erent performers. They are 

Anthony and the Imperials, The Platters, Vandellas, Drifters, The 

Temptations, Chi-Lites, The Stylistics, John Secada, Lorrie Morgan, Gary Lewis, The 5th Dimension, Aaron Tippin, Matt Giraud, 

Daryle Singletary, and the S.S. Cowboy Show. 

The concert served as a way to honor Veterans and to provide 

important information about VA health care services and volunteer opportunities.

Front Cover:

- Little Anthony and the Imperials during a V4V concert in Baltimore, MD.

- A student volunteer painting a craft.

- Members of the Broward County VAVS Committee and Veterans Support Organization dedicating the “Patriot’s Patio.” 

- Grace Drewes (female in uniform), started as a student volunteer and is now a pilot for the US Air Force.

- Participant in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.