Volunteer or donate

Become a volunteer

Volunteers provide many important functions throughout the hospital and help make our patients' stay more enjoyable. Coming from a variety of professions, physical abilities, cultural backgrounds, and schedule availability, we match volunteers to assignments that will have the most impact to allow us to extend and maximize services.

The onboarding process includes:

• Submitting a request to volunteer https://www.cdceportal.va.gov
• Being 18 years old (a youth program for students 15-17 is provided during the summer months when visitation and health / safety restrictions permit)
• Completing an application and attending orientation
• Completing all applicable screenings (such as a background and health screening)

The full onboarding process may take 2 - 3 weeks.

Volunteer assignments are limited at this time. After you submit a request to volunteer online a Voluntary Service team member will contact you to discuss available options.

The Voluntary Service office does oversee shadowing and observations by individuals NOT seeking academic credit for their time. Observers still must complete the full volunteer onboarding process prior to placement.

How to become a volunteer

By volunteering at a VA health care facility, you'll provide critical support to our nation's heroes. 

To become a volunteer, fill out an application. Once completed, print the application, sign it, and send it by email to VHABIRVoluntaryService@va.gov, or through the U.S. Postal Service to:

Birmingham VA Health Care System
Center for Development and Civic Engagement (Voluntary Service) (135), Room 8109
700 19th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35233

You can also express your interest in volunteer opportunities with the Birmingham VA Health Care System by completing the Volunteer at a VA Facility Online Form.

A Voluntary Service Specialist will contact you to schedule an interview.

Volunteer qualifications

All volunteers must: 

• Be at least 18 years old
• Commit to a minimum of 100 hours of service
• Complete and submit the Volunteer Application and other associated forms
• Complete a health screening and tuberculosis (blood) test
• Complete fingerprinting and a special agency background check
• Complete a 30-day probationary period

Monetary donations are used to support a variety of patient activities and services throughout the Birmingham VA Health Care System. All monetary donations are tax deductible and there are no administrative costs, so 100 percent of your donation will go directly to support the needs of Veteran patients. When making a monetary donation, please specify the donated fund account you would like to support.

The following are a few of the donated fund accounts that are always in need of support: 

• All Purpose Account – Used to support a variety of patient needs and activities throughout the Birmingham VA Health Care System.
• Women’s Clinic Account – Used to support various women’s activities and gift distributions throughout the Birmingham VA Health Care System women’s events such as Mommy and me and baby showers.
• Homeless Veterans Account – Used to provide homeless and at-risk Veterans with meals, clothing, and emergent transportation resources.
• National Games Account – Used to pay for the transportation and lodging expenses for Veteran patients to attend the National VA Games such as the Winter Sports Clinic, Golden Age Games, Wheelchair Games, and Creative Arts Festival.

Please send a check payable to Birmingham VA Health Care System to the following address and list the donated fund account you would like to support in the “Memo” section of the check:

Birmingham VA Health Care System
Center for Development and Civic Engagement (Voluntary Service) (135)
700 19th Street South, Room 8109
Birmingham, AL 35233

To make a Monetary Donation Online

Visit https://www.cdceportal.va.gov

This will direct you to: Pay.gov - VA Southeast Network: VISN 7 Donation Form , an online donation option that allows you to select from several accounts that are designated to support the specific needs of Veteran patients throughout the Birmingham VA Health Care System. Donations can be made by credit or debit card.  Donations are made through the U.S. Department of Treasury Pay.gov website. A minimum of $5.00 is required for all online donations through E-Donate.

After you get to the Pay.gov website, click on “Continue to the Form” on the lower right. On the next page, select “Birmingham VA Health Care System” from the drop-down menu under “Facility.” Complete the required fields and select the account you want your donation to support from the drop-down menu under the “Program for Donation” field.

For more information about E-Donate, please call our Voluntary Service office at (205) 933-4396

Monetary donations are essential in providing supplemental services to our Veterans. Donated funds may be deposited in our general-purpose account for the benefit of Veterans, or may be specified for a particular area:

• General Purpose for the benefit of patients
• Hospice
• Blind Rehab
• Recreation Therapy
• Social Work / Homeless Program
• Mental Health
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Primary Care
• Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs)
• Other programs not listed can receive specific (earmarked) donations too! Contact the CDCE office 205-933-4396 for information.

In addition to supporting Veterans in your area, you'll enjoy the following benefits as a VA volunteer: 

• Complimentary Canteen meal vouchers during shifts of four or more hours
• Available parking at your volunteer facility 
• Annual flu shots
• Job skills development
• Career exploration opportunities
• Contribute to the Veteran community
• Gain valuable experience in a health care setting
• Meet interesting people
• Earn community service hours towards school requirements
• Make a difference by giving back to others
• Service those who served – our Nation’s Veterans

In addition to supporting the needs of Veteran patients, you'll enjoy the following benefits by donating to the Birmingham VA Health Care System: 

• Support those who served
• All donations are tax deductible
• There are no administrative costs
• 100 percent of your donation will go to support the needs of Veterans patients
• Make a difference by giving back to others
• Your donation will pay for patient expenses outside the scope of the VA budget

Patient care:

• Ambassadors - Greet patients and visitors, and provide directions and assistance.
• Book Cart - Deliver books and magazines to patient rooms and waiting areas.
• Coffee Program - Prepare and serve coffee and refreshments to inpatients and outpatients.
• Drivers - Drive patients to and from their home to VA clinic appointments.
• Patient Escort Service - Escort patients to various clinics and appointments.
• Food and Nutrition - Help patients select menu items, open containers, cut food into bite-sized portions, and eat during mealtimes.
• Nursing Units – Distribute water to inpatients and assist nursing staff as needed.
• Recreation – Assist with arts and crafts projects, bedside games, field trips, and various activities.

Administrative support

• Office Assistant - Type, file, answer phones, keep records, and  data entry.
• Pharmacy – Assist in preparing prescriptions, stocking shelves and unpacking deliveries.

Other assignments not listed here may also be available.  If you’re interested in volunteering, or if you have special skills to offer, please contact us so we can discuss how you can best help our Veterans.  

While some volunteer assignments must be performed at specific times, most are flexible and can fit your schedule. We also have special short-term projects. 

Your business or community group can make a difference in the lives of our Veterans. We host group volunteer opportunities at many of our facilities and can tailor a volunteer project that serves our Veterans, meets the needs and skills of your employees or group members, and helps us carry out our mission. Group volunteer opportunities may include:

• Playing bingo - Provide volunteers to call bingo. Your group needs to bring prizes or coupon books purchased at our Canteen.
• Throwing a party - Your group will provide the decorations and refreshments for group social events such as birthday parties, ice cream socials, holiday celebrations, and Veterans Day activities.
• Leading a craft project - Your volunteers will bring the supplies and instruct our Veterans with projects such as painting, pottery, or woodworking.

To get started, contact our Voluntary Service office at the location where you would like to volunteer. 

Contact us

If you have questions about volunteering or donating, please send an email to VHABIRVoluntaryService@va.gov or call one of our Voluntary Service offices:

Birmingham VA Health Care System
Center for Development and Civic Engagement (Voluntary Service) Room 8109
Phone: (205) 933-4396