Philadelphia VA Medical Center depends on the goodwill of our benefactors and volunteers who wish to give something back to America's heroes. The department plays a major role in formulating and interpreting hospital needs in order to effectively recruit, train, orient, and assign volunteers throughout the Medical Center, Nursing Home Care Unit, and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.  Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS), is responsible for coordinating community resources within existing national and local policies and procedures.

Volunteer assignments are designed in cooperation with VA paid staff to supplement the Medical Center's human resources.  Community resources are accepted to improve the quality of care to our veterans. Voluntary Service interviews and screens volunteers and orients them to the Medical Center.  VAVS also coordinates donations to the Medical Center.  Medical Center staff training is provided on appropriate use of volunteers.

Volunteering

Volunteers provide many important functions throughout the Medical Center, Nursing Home Care Unit, and community based outpatient clinics.  Our goals are to help make our patients' stay more enjoyable and to meet the needs of our veterans while meeting your interests, skills, and talents as a volunteer. Volunteers can perform a number of services, and a volunteer's talents are closely matched with one of our many opportunities.

In addition to individual volunteers, there are many opportunities for Organizational Volunteering:

• Elementary School and High School-Our veterans love to get cards.  Why not create cards all year round (Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, etc.).  They can be placed on the meal trays for our patients.  You could start a book drive, magazine drive, or even a food drive (call Voluntary Service for an approved list of food to be donated).
• Colleges and Universities-Not sure what to do on a Sunday afternoon during football season? Why not sponsor a football party and watch the game with our veterans?  We also have a Veteran's History Project where you are trained to interview veterans and their story is forwarded to the Library of Congress.  Perfect for English and History majors!
• Businesses and Service Organizations-Has your business experienced the rewards of a company sponsored volunteer program?  What a great way to get to know your colleagues and to help others.  Businesses could sponsor a happy hour on Thursday or a summer cookout at our Nursing Home. 

Voluntary Service can provide you with specific group opportunities.
These opportunities are only a few examples of what can be done for our veterans.

To volunteer, call or visit the Philadelphia VA Medical Center Voluntary Service Office. We will be happy to receive your application or discuss how you can help us in our mission to provide comfort and care to America's veterans.

Giving

Philadelphia VAMC accepts both monetary gifts and and gifts-in-kind. Monetary gifts are placed in special accounts and are designated for use only for our veterans.  The following are examples of how monetary donations are used:

• Television Fund-Monies used to purchase TVs at the Medical Center and Nursing Home
• National Games, Golden Age and Wheelchair Games-Sponsorship needed for veteran participants
• Canteen Books-Funds used to purchase Canteen Books which patients can use to purchase items in the retail store. The books have a monetary value of $1.00.
• General Purpose-Funds used to purchase needed items for veterans, sponsor day trips, food events
• Nursing Home General Purpose
• Mental Hygiene Ongoing Therapy Program-Funds used to purchase tokens for the Homeless Veterans Program
• Returning Soldiers Fund

When a monetary donation may not be feasible for you, Voluntary Service is always in need of gifts-in-kind and donated items for our veterans. Please call for the most updated needs.

To make a cash or non-cash contribution, please contact Philadelphia VA Medical Center Voluntary Service.