National Volunteer Week
If you have an interest to serve as a volunteer, you can reach Voluntary Service at 304-623-7621
The Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center proudly joins the Nation in observing National Volunteer Week from April 10-16, 2016. Most healthcare facilities rely on teams comprised of medical staff, administration, dietitians, housekeepers, and security to stay afloat from each day to the next. In addition to these essential teams, the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center relies on a unique and wonderful group: our volunteers. The charitable work they provide is our secret ingredient to the recipe of success to better serve both Veterans and employees.
During this week, we ask that everyone take the time to thank the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center volunteers for their service. Whether you see someone wearing a “blue vest” from afar or see them in passing, a simple gesture of saying “Thank you for your service” can be very uplifting for them, as they are for us.
One of our youth volunteers, Lauren Feierstadt, recently wrote a middle school essay to convey her voluntary experiences to her classmates. In her own words, a copy of her letter can be seen below.
“Be a part of something great, Volunteer with the heroes that fought for our freedoms!” Written by: Lauren Feierstadt
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
I want to tell you about something that could not only change your life, but also change the lives of people who are very important to me. Do you have someone in your family who has served our country in any way? If so, you might want to take my offer of volunteering into consideration. All I encourage you to do is take an hour or more of your free time to volunteer at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center. Volunteering at any VA hospital, is a way to give back to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for us. Veterans are a very important part of my life and if you choose to volunteer I’m sure they will be an important part of yours too.
I feel more people should volunteer because it relieves stress, will generally earn you more respect from others and will ultimately make you a happier person. If you are going through anything stressful or something is making you unhappy, I guarantee that spending time with one of our Nation’s heroes will relieve any stress you have. Just to see them smile is worth more than anything money could ever buy. Another benefit of volunteering is you will be viewed as a good person with a big heart and most of us would like to be viewed that way. Putting a smile on the face of a Veteran will surely make you happy. A game of cards, checkers, working on a puzzle or simply having a conversation makes a huge difference to these men and women. Being a good person is important, but being a productive member of society and giving back to those who have sacrificed so much, is the best feeling I have ever felt.
What’s in it for us kids? Well, you could have an opportunity to possibly be eligible for a scholarship, you get to see the many facets of different career opportunities and it truly gives you a different perspective of the world. Volunteering ultimately forces you to look on the positive side of things. In closing, I would just like to say that during my short time at the VA Medical Center, I have learned so much about people, their lives, professionalism, integrity, courage and developed lasting friendships. As a 14 year old child, where else would I find that at this age? Volunteering is something that I choose to do as my way of giving back. I encourage each of you to try this as it will surely change your outlook on life forever.
Last year, Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center volunteers returned approximately $1.45 million in labor hours. Many patients rely on the services of our volunteers to provide transportation, supplies, and comfort. The Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center staff would like to extend a huge “Thank you!” to all of our volunteers for playing a vital role in providing healthcare to Veterans in North Central West Virginia.
If you have an interest to serve as a volunteer, you can reach Voluntary Service at 304-623-7621.
