Celebrating Our Volunteer, Steven Ward

Steven Ward
Veteran Volunteer
Total Volunteer Hours:
8,356 (8/2022)
U.S. Navy 1969-1970
Radarman
Vietnam Era Veteran

Honors/Awards
- 2019 VA Presidential Volunteer Award
- 2016 VA Volunteer of the Year Award
- 2021 VA Dedicated Service Award (7,500 Volunteer hours)

Personal Background
Mr. Ward was born in Mt. Vernon, Il. He is married and has two sons, two granddaughters, two grandsons, and a great grandson!

Mr. Ward worked as a food service representative for 35 years before retiring. He has served as a VA Volunteer for 13 years in the Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) through Disabled Veterans of America (DAV Chapter #28) where he also serves as the DAV District Chaplain. He has been a driver and currently serves as a VTN Hospital Ser-vices Coordinator (alternate) as well as a VTN Training Assistant. Mr. Ward puts in anywhere from 20-40 hours per week as a volunteer!

Why I Volunteer...
“The freedoms we have in this country are because of the sacrifices of our Veterans. By volunteering my time, I feel I am giving very little back to Veterans compared to what they have given for us all. "

The Mission Continues: Veterans Serving Veterans via Volunteering! 
Glimpse of Steve (by Maria Buehler, Voluntary Service Officer, CDCE)

For nearly 13 years, Steve has been a dedicated and crucial part of our Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) Program. He has ensured Veterans arrive to scheduled appointments, even when it has been at his own expense. Several times those who have worked alongside of him, from the Hospital Services Coordinator to his fellow drivers, have noted that he has made personal sacrfices and has changed or cancelled his own medical appointments, plans or schedule to ensure a Veteran was transported to an appointment.
Anytime Steve has been called on for assistance in transporting a patient due to an un-expected driver shortage, even on his days off, he has willingly changed and rearranged his plans to get that Veteran to the VA. If two veterans had to be at two different lo-cations at two different times, Steve would figure out a way to coordinate the transportation so both could make their appointments, again, even at times at his own expense!
THANK YOU, STEVE for your example and years of dedicated service! We are proud to have you on our CDCE/VTN team!