VA ECHCS honors volunteers for more than 59,000 hours of service
PRESS RELEASE
April 15, 2024
Colorado Springs , CO — VA ECHCS will recognize its volunteers for the more than 59,000 hours they contributed toward caring for veterans through volunteer assignments associated with driving, directing, sitting, serving, comforting, and counseling on a regular basis as part of National Volunteer Week.
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System will recognize its 340 volunteers for the more than 59,000 hours they have contributed toward caring for veterans through volunteer assignments associated with driving, directing, sitting, serving, comforting, and counseling on a regular basis as part of National Volunteer Week, which is from April 21-27. Volunteers will be celebrated on April 13 at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center auditorium in Aurora, Colorado, and April 20 at the Disabled American Veterans Post 26 Knob Hill in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
VA will recognize more than 25,400 volunteers for their service to veterans at VA medical facilities nationwide during National Volunteer Week. In fiscal year 2023, VA volunteers and organizations donated more than 3.2 million hours of service and more than $81.1 million in gifts and donations for veterans and their families.
“Behind all the lives touched, treated and possibly transformed are the personal stories each of our volunteers build with the veterans they serve each day,” said James Crabtree, VA ECHCS assistant director. “An example is the All Veterans Honor Guard, Denver-based group of volunteers comprised entirely of veterans who provide final military honors to veterans and military retirees in and around Fort Logan National Cemetery, Pikes Peak National Cemetery and the surrounding areas, were recognized by the Colorado House of Representatives in March of this year for the outstanding services and support they provided for veterans and their families.”
National Volunteer Week also presents an opportunity for other citizens to join the ranks of volunteers serving veterans. There are many ways to volunteer. For instance, in fiscal year 2023, the 340 VA ECHCS volunteers provided more than 59,000 hours of service to veterans, and VA ECHCS received donated funds totaling more than $1.2 million.
“Working alongside volunteers, many of whom are veterans themselves, is such a positive experience,” said Eva Gergely VA ECHCS Voluntary Service chief. “It shows the commitment and care they have for their communities and how important it is for them to give back and help. I wish everyone could experience that sense of community and care by volunteering here with us, too.”
While National Volunteer Week kicks off April 21, VA invites everyone in the community to explore ways to give back to veterans any time of the year. In addition, veterans can explore volunteer opportunities as part of VetServe 2024, which encourages veterans to become volunteers to support other veterans. No medical experience is necessary, and volunteers are encouraged to share ideas how they would like to give back using their unique skills.