VA “Summer of Service” to Bolster Volunteer Assistance for Veterans

By participating in a nationwide initiative – a “Summer of Service” – the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System seeks to create and build partnerships to grow the number of individuals and organizations serving veterans. The VA Loma Linda Healthcare System renewed its commitment to veterans by inviting the community to visit and explore opportunities to serve veterans during an open house at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center Auditorium on July 2. “We have made progress over the past year addressing the challenges we face in delivering care and benefits to millions of veterans and their families,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald. “While there is more work to do to honor our commitment to veterans, we also recognize that VA cannot do it alone. We are asking Americans everywhere to join the Summer of Service and help us give back to those who have given so much to our nation.” The VA has also established the following goals to achieve by Labor Day: • Increasing the number of volunteers: Committed to engaging with 100,000 volunteers nationwide to support care and benefits programs and local events. • Increasing Community Partners: Committed to expanding current agreements to provide services and support reaching more than 15,000 Veterans and family. • Recruiting Medical Professionals: Hiring clinicians and clinical support staff to further expand access to care and homelessness. • Congress: Host Congressional Members and Staffs at VA facilities across the country. The Department has an outstanding volunteer program, which will be highlighted throughout the country this summer. VA will build upon the ongoing work of its more than 350,000 employees and 76,000 volunteers around the nation – and the hundreds of volunteers in Loma Linda. Volunteers can help serve veterans by visiting http://www.volunteer.va.gov/ to find out the needs of your local VA facility.