Why Volunteer
As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to give the very best, because you give of yourself. The inner satisfaction that comes from helping others and the pride of accomplishment in a job well done is often a volunteer’s greatest reward. When you volunteer you are giving back to those who gave it their all for your freedom.

While volunteering you can develop life long relationships, cultivate new skills and gain valuable personal skills such as patients and tolerance. Not to mention the personal satisfaction that comes from lending a helping hand.

VA Volunteering
The Department if Veteran Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) is the largest volunteer program in the Federal government. Since 1946 the VAVS has provided over 60 years and 600 million hours of voluntary service to America’s veterans seeking care in VA health care facilities. The VAVS notes that, “It is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that these VAVS volunteers provide to veteran patients. VAVS volunteers are a priceless asset to the Nation’s veterans and to the Department of Veterans Affairs.”

HHV’s Craft Care Specialist Program
HHV is one of 65 major veteran, civic and service organizations that support the VAVS. HHV distributes craft kits to hospitalized veterans through it’s CCS Program. Here is what some of the Craft Care Specialist have to say about volunteering.

CCS Mike Finke helps a veteran with a craft kit.

"To have some of my patients tell me it makes a difference in their day to be able to come in and work on their projects with me is just such a blessing… I am very blessed indeed to be doing something I love with some very special people that I will never forget." – CCS Caren Garner Walter Reed

"Our men and women, who have served our country so well, deserve some support and recognition for their sacrifices and I am honored to help in any way I can." – CCS Melody Guptill VAMC San Antonio

"I love to give crafts to these heroes and see them brighten up for even a moment to know someone cares and they can do something constructive again." – CCS Shawna Brotherton VAMC Mountain Home TN

To learn more about what it takes to volunteer for VAVS, visit their website http://www1.va.gov/volunteer/

For more information about HHV’s CCS program visit the CCS Program page, here.