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GCVHCS Celebrates Volunteers During National Volunteer Week

Rabon, GCVHCS Volunteer
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) Joint Ambulatory Care Center (JACC) volunteer and U.S. Army Veteran David Rabon has accumulated more than 1,000 volunteer hours during his nearly eight years of volunteering. The GCVHCS recognized National Volunteer week, observed April 17 through 23 this year, as a method of honoring volunteers like Rabon who are supporting Veterans along the Gulf Coast. (Official GCVHCS photo by Tom Coffelt, GCVHCS Medical Media)
By Jason Boatwright, Public Affairs Specialist

BILOXI, Miss. – In recognition of National Volunteer week April 17 through 23, the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) honors volunteers supporting local Veterans along the Gulf Coast and is supporting a public campaign encouraging area residents to give back to Veterans when possible.

Volunteers have been valued partners of the VA for more than 75 years and provided countless hours of support to Veterans. In fiscal year 2021, approximately 130 volunteers at GCVHCS facilities in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida contributed 19,500 hours toward caring for Veterans. Their volunteerism and donations were valued at nearly $776,000 during fiscal year 2021.

According to GCVHCS Center for Development and Civic Engagement Volunteer Coordinator Michael Grey, volunteers at the organization’s five facilities provide shuttle services, Ambassador services, and performed a variety of administrative support functions during the ongoing global health crisis.

“Volunteers represent the lifeblood of our organization, helping Veterans from the instant they step foot in one of our facilities,” Grey said. “Their knowledge, experience and willingness to assist are an integral part of us being able to provide the top-notch care our Veterans deserve, and I am honored to recognize these men and women who take their time to help Veterans in so many ways.”

Grey added that National Volunteer Week also presents an opportunity for other civic-minded individuals to join the ranks of volunteers serving Veterans, citing Joe Kanarkiewicz, a volunteer who spends at least two days each week shuttling Veterans from the parking lot to the Joint Ambulatory Care Center (JACC) in Pensacola, Florida. Grey also said that Kanarkiewicz volunteers significant time in maintaining and cleaning our patient transport vans.

“I volunteer because it allows me to help and assist Veterans who are disabled and sometimes suffering due to their military service,” Kanarkiewicz, a retired journeyman wireman, said. “This also allows me to give something back and is a constructive way to use my free time.”

Grey said that no medical experience is necessary to become a volunteer with the VA and volunteers are encouraged to share ideas on how they would like to give back using their unique skills.

Individuals interested in volunteering at the GCVHCS are encouraged to contact Grey at 850-912-2057 or Michael.grey@va.gov.

The Biloxi Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, along with the Mobile, Pensacola, Eglin and Panama City community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) are all part of the GCVHCS, which is headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, and provides a variety of medical outpatient services to more than 82,000 Veterans.