Serving those who served us

     In this day and times it's hard to think that anyone could possibly have time for such things as volunteering. With peoples busy schedules and constant texting and use of their cell phones. But on the other hand, people do it every day.

     As you walk into the Loma Linda VA Ambulatory Care Center or ACC for short, you most likely notice someone there to greet you and ask you if you need assistance. That is just one of the many jobs available for volunteers that volunteer at the Veterans Administration.

     Veterans who come to the facility has a wide range of needs. Most common is the need to be transported in wheelchairs to and from their car or appointments. At any given day the VA volunteer office at the ACC averages three to five calls in a four to six our period. That's not including the ones that were intercepted by volunteers wondering the building.

     On any given day the ACC is staffed with five to eight volunteers. Not all volunteers handle wheelchairs and give directions. Some jobs volunteers may do include; office work/answering phones, calling patients to remind them of their appointments, checking patients in at the check in desk, and any other job that may need done.

     So why volunteer?  VA volunteers have the attitude that they are there to serve those who have served us. Some are veterans themselves, wanting to give back to their fellow veterans. An added bonus is each volunteer who works for four hours gets a mean from the cafateria. In addition, the VA Volunteer Service has an anual awards cerimony and lunch for all the volunteers.

     Convienced yet? If interested in giving up a few hours a week of your time to the veterans, contact Pat Morin at the Loma Linda Veterans main hospital.