Birmingham VA Honors Volunteers for Their Service to Veterans
By Birmingham VA Health Care System, Public Affairs Office
The Birmingham VA Health Care System recently honored and celebrated an incredible team of volunteers with an appreciation luncheon and awards ceremony.
These dedicated men and women—some just starting out, others marking decades of service—were recognized for their extraordinary contributions, adding up to hundreds and even thousands of volunteer hours.
Dr. Ladi Kukoyi, Executive Director and CEO of the Birmingham VA Health Care System, praised the volunteers. Dr. Kukoyi stated that this celebration is not just about the act of volunteering, but about the impact volunteers service has on Veterans. “Here at the Birmingham VA, our volunteers have contributed over 13,000 hours supporting Veterans directly and indirectly,” he said. “Volunteer efforts provide comfort and care in so many ways—from providing directions, personal escorts, cleaning, serving coffee, helping with travel pay and wayfinding apps, transportation, and simply being there for a Veteran in need. The Birmingham VA—and me especially—is extremely grateful for the positive experience Volunteers provide our guests.”
In 2024 alone, the Birmingham VA received nearly $26,000 in cash donations, which helped provide Veterans with essential items like food, clothing, and transportation. Volunteers are often the first smiling face a Veteran or visitor sees, shaping the VA experience and leaving an impression of warmth, compassion, and community.
“Part of it is the sense of gratitude we have,” said Fred Lesinski, Chief of Voluntary Service. “It is one thing to say thank you every day to our volunteers, but we make it more intentional with this event to stop and pause and celebrate their service to us. There is so much our volunteers do, but individually it might be hard to see the impact. When you put them all together in one room, you get a chance to see the full scope of how much volunteers matter to VA.”
For U.S. Army retired Command Sergeant Major Steven Goldman, who has been volunteering for three years, the recognition is meaningful, “I think too often a volunteer feels they are not being noticed,” stated Goldman. “It affords an opportunity for someone to say, ‘We know what you are doing, we recognize it, and we appreciate it.’”
Marine Veteran and volunteer Percy Lawson, now in his eighth year of service, shared his joy in giving back, “It lets us know that we are appreciated. I love it,” smiled Lawson. “Every day, I get a chance to be around Veterans—it’s like family. I love what I do, and I love seeing the Veterans happy, and also the staff.”
Across the country, more than 28,000 VA volunteers dedicate over 3.8 million hours of service each year, making VA one of the largest volunteer networks in the United States. Their acts of kindness and generosity help define the Veteran care experience, creating moments of cheer, hope, and connection that ripple through the lives of those who served our nation.
As the Birmingham VA Health Care System continues to care for over 70,000 Veterans, the spirit of volunteerism remains a vital force. Dr. Kukoyi concluded with a heartfelt message: “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all that you do. Your acts of kindness and dedication do not go unnoticed, and today, we sing praises for our volunteers—no longer unsung, but celebrated and cherished.”
Want to help? Contact 205-933-4396, email VHABIRVoluntaryService@va.gov, or visit the website: Volunteer or Donate | VA Birmingham Health Care.