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Volunteer or Donate

Every day at VA North Texas Health Care System, we serve those who have served us. Our dedicated staff provides excellent medical care, but it's our volunteers and donors who help create the warmth, comfort, and extra support that make our facilities feel like home to thousands of Veterans. Whether you have time to give or wish to make a financial contribution, your generosity directly impacts the lives of the men and women who have sacrificed for our nation.

Become a Volunteer:

Volunteering is a great opportunity to “serve those who have served.” Volunteers provide much-needed help throughout the health care system and make patients' experiences more enjoyable. Many different volunteer opportunities are available through the center for development and civic engagement (CDCE), and each volunteer's talents are closely matched with one of our assignments. Volunteers can choose to serve at one of the following locations listed below:

 

Dallas VA Medical Center
Bobbie Scoggins, Chief of CDCE  
Glendoria Chatman-Scott, CDCE Specialist
4500 S. Lancaster Rd
Dallas, TX 75216
214-857-0428  

Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center  
Tina McDaniel, Assistant Chief of CDCE
Brenda Magness, CDCE Specialist
1201 E. 9th St.
Bonham, TX 75418
903-583-6282  

Ft. Worth VA Clinic & Tyler Centennial VA Clinic
RC Shields, CDCE Specialist
2201 SE Loop 820
Fort Worth, TX 76119
817-730-0078  

Garland VA Medical Center & U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic (Plano)
Tina McDaniel, Assistant Chief of CDCE
2300 Marie Curie Blvd 
Garland, TX 75042 
682-248-5417 
 

Volunteer Benefits

As a VA volunteer, you’ll support Veterans in your area, meet interesting people, and gain valuable experience in a health care setting.

You’ll also enjoy benefits like: 

  • Free canteen meals during shifts of four or more hours
  • Free parking at your volunteer facility
  • Annual volunteer recognition awards
  • Free annual flu shot
  • Job skills development

Volunteer Opportunities

Whatever your interests, we have volunteer opportunities that are right for you.

In order for us to help provide you with the best volunteer experience, CDCE will coordinate placement in an area that is compatible for you from the volunteer opportunity list. 

Please be aware that all areas do not accept volunteers.

Some of our volunteer opportunities may include:

  • Greeters/ambassadors
  • Information desk
  • Coffee cart
  • Clerical support
  • Social work services
  • Virtual opportunities
  • Compassionate contact corps
  • Recreational Activities
  • Volunteer transportation network (VTN)
  • Homeless program
  • Special events
  • Hospice

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.

Volunteer as a Driver

Help pick-up outpatients receiving treatments or therapy and other outpatient appointments. To fill this role, you must have a current, valid Texas driver’s license and automobile insurance and pass a physical exam. We are looking for volunteer drivers for: Fort Worth and surrounding cities within Tarrant County.

Learn more about volunteer transportation network services.

How to Apply

Upon your questionnaire being accepted, potential volunteers must be pre-screened with staff prior to orientation. Please note that our process time for potential volunteers can take up to four weeks.

If interested in becoming a potential volunteer, click here:  CDCE Portal · Customer Self-Service (va.gov)

Volunteer Requirements

  • Minimum 100 hours over six months
  • Complete CDCE scheduled interview with specialist
  • Complete CDCE volunteer training, handbook, orientation, and other VA requirements
  • All volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated:  coronavirus (COVID-19), tuberculosis (TB), and influenza (Flu).
  • Background check and VA volunteer ID badge (provided by VANTHCS Security)
  • VA volunteer badge is required to volunteer in person at a VHA facility
  • Required volunteer uniform
Once Selected and Approved
  • Interview with area supervisor
  • Start date will be determined by program manager and assigned area supervisor

If interested in becoming a potential volunteer, click here:  CDCE Portal · Customer Self-Service (va.gov)

Volunteer Opportunities for Youth

Our Summer Youth Volunteer Program welcomes students ages 16-18 to join us from June through August. This valuable program offers young people a chance to serve Veterans while gaining real-world healthcare experience. Applications open in May, and spots fill quickly. Join us in making a difference in the lives of those who served our nation.

Summer Youth Information and Program Acceptance Packet available for download below or you can email a CDCE employee for more information:

 

Bonham VA Medical Center 

Brenda Magness 
 
brenda.magness@va.gov   
 

Dallas VA Medical Center  

Tina McDaniel 
 
tina.mcdaniel@va.gov

Bobbie Scoggins 
 
bobbie.scoggins@va.gov

Make a donation

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 8301, VA is authorized to accept donations or gifts for the benefit of patients. The following is provided to inform potential donors or gift givers about the needs of the local facility to “care for those who have borne the battle.” Donations may be accepted online, by mail, or in person. Donations to VA North Texas are tax deductible.

Non-monetary donations

We ask that all donated items are new and not preowned or used, for the protection of our patients. 

Each location varies with acceptance of gifts based on facility needs. Contact the location of your choice to coordinate acceptable items and donation deliveries due to seasonal changes and current supply volume. Please note items that do not meet the guidelines or have a present need at the facility may be declined.

  • Afghans, blankets, and lap robes
  • Wheelchair and walker bags
  • New clothing items (men & women) – sweat-pants, sweat-tops, t-shirts
  • New socks and undergarments in unopened packages
  • New puzzles (under 500 pieces)
  • Hygiene Items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, deodorant, small toiletries (bath gel, shampoo, lotion). We only accept new unopened alcohol-free hygiene items. Please note the following will not be accepted due to infection control: bar soap and hotel/motel toiletry items.

Donation Guidelines

  • All items provided to Veterans must be safe, clean, and in good condition.
    • Damaged items with mold, mildew, insect markings or droppings, water stains, spider webs, dust, or cigarette smoke odor will not be accepted.
  • CDCE does not accept anything containing alcohol or tobacco, glass, inappropriate reading material, used furniture, wheelchairs, prosthetic items, scooters, crutches, etc.
  • VA accepting officials may decide to reject offers of gifts or donations of items for any reason including because there is no anticipated need for the items, or the maintenance of the items would be out of proportion to their value.
  • Under the Internal Revenue Service's Tax Code, donations to VA for exclusively public purposes are deductible from federal income taxes in the manner and to the extent allowable. This reflects the tax law provision which makes those donations deductible as “donations to the United States.”
  • A donation to support any VA programs is deductible, whether the donor directs that the donated funds be used for a specific purpose or allows the facility to decide how the donated funds will be used.
  • VA will not appraise donations for tax purposes; however, we will provide a receipt for tax purposes.
  • Because of privacy issues and perceptions of favoritism, VA does not identify specific Veterans for donation opportunities.

Donation delivery

Contact the center for development and civic engagement, at the VA location of your choice Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. or by email to arrange for acceptance of your donation.

Do not leave your donated items at the Information Desk or entrances.

Unattended items will not be accepted, are considered a security risk, and will be destroyed.

Requirements for volunteers, donation acceptance, and visiting is subject to change without notification due to COVID-19.

VA accepting officials may decide to reject offers of gifts or donations of items for any reason including because there is no anticipated need for the items, or the maintenance of the items would be out of proportion to their value. We are responsible for providing safe and clean donations. Items that do not meet these criteria will be refused.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that under the tax code, donations to the Department of Veterans Affairs' General Post Fund for exclusively public purposes are deductible from federal income taxes in the manner and to the extent allowable.

The announcement reflects the tax law provision which makes those donations deductible as "donations to the United States." A donation to support any of the department's programs are deductible, whether the donor directs that the donated funds be used for a specific purpose or allows the department to decide how the donated funds will be used.

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