Volunteer or donate

Become a Volunteer

Volunteer opportunities are available for adults and students who are at least 14 years old.  Volunteers can work directly with patients or "behind the scenes" to help the VA run smoothly.  Examples of volunteer assignment roles are described below and are presented as examples of common volunteer opportunities:         

• Drivers – provide transportation for Veterans to and from medical appointments or drive a courtesy vehicle on the St. Cloud campus to shuttle Veterans from parking lots to buildings
• Ambassador – greet patients and visitors as they enter the complex, provide assistance with campus information or directions and coordinate with Escorts to help patients get to their destination
• Escort - push patients in wheelchairs to their appointments
• Spend time with Veterans during recreational activities
• Chapel services - escort patients to Chapel services, assist with chapel services, or help with services on a care unit
• Assist office staff with light clerical work
• Visit hospice patients and provide support to family members
• Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Alexandria, Brainerd, and Montevideo have opportunities that are unique to each location

Volunteer Orientation

 The average assignment requires a 4-hour commitment on a weekly basis for a 6-month duration.  When you are ready to begin the process, please follow the steps below:

Step One: Review the Volunteer Orientation Handbook. You will also need a high-speed internet connection to watch the Suicide Prevention Training video that is linked from the handbook.

Step Two: Download and complete the following documents by clicking on them and email to: vhastcvavsstaff@va.gov.  Alternatively, you may choose to mail a hard copy of your forms to:

St. Cloud VA Healthcare System
Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CD135)
4801 Veterans Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56303-2015

1. Application for Voluntary Service (electronically sign by typing your name)
2. Request for Special Agreement Check (SAC Form)
3. Online Volunteer Training Test
4. Operation SAVE Quiz
5. Statement of Commitment and Understanding
6. Volunteer Orientation Checklist

Step Three: The Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) will review your documents and contact you to schedule an appointment for an interview.

Step Four: CDCE will contact you after your interview to let you know if you have been accepted to volunteer with the St. Cloud VA Healthcare System. If you have been accepted, a second appointment would be scheduled to complete the onboarding process.  You will be scheduled for a blood draw to screen for exposure to Tuberculosis, a flu shot (if applicable), a COVID vaccination shot (if desired), a badge appointment, a hospital tour and a meeting with your assigned VA Supervisor or a scheduled time to meet.

You will need to bring two forms of identification with to your badge appointment, acceptable formats include:

• a driver’s license or ID card and one additional form of state or federal issued ID, such as: a Passport, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate (official document with raised seal), Military ID, VA Medical Card or Voter Registration Card.

Make a donation

The St. Cloud VA CDCE accepts gifts-in-kind and monetary contributions as donations to provide comfort and leisure activities for our Veterans. These donations support Veterans in our outpatient, inpatient, residential programs, and Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

We use monetary donations to support a variety of programs:

• Adult Day Health Care - this fund supports many programs in Adult Day Health Care such as outings, crafts, unit activities, etc.
• Community Based Outpatient Clinics - this fund provides items such as coffee, newspapers, and cable TV service to the VA Clinics in Montevideo, Brainerd, and Alexandria.
• Extended Care/Culture Change - this fund supports the Hospice program and is used to enhance the general environment of the nursing home units to make them more home-like and to contribute to the overall quality of life for our patients.
• General Welfare - this fund is used for various projects and items that would benefit all patients within the medical center. All donations without a designation are deposited into this fund.
• Holiday – this fund provides individual gifts for patients, refreshments, decorations, supplies, and extra activities to commemorate holidays, events, and special occasions throughout the year.
• Mental Health - this fund supports Veterans receiving residential as well as outpatient mental health services.  Recurring items include juice, popcorn, reading glasses, coffee, alarm clocks, picnics, and graduation programs as just a few examples.
• National Events - this fund is used for Veteran supplies and travel expenses for the Local Veterans Creative Arts Festival, Wheelchair Games, Golden Age Games and Winter Sports Clinic.
• Outpatient Coffee - this fund provides coffee for patients and visitors in the Outpatient Clinics and for patient and family group meetings.
• Recreation - this fund supports all recreational programming throughout the campus and provides for both on and off station programs/events, refreshments, recreational equipment, supplies, and items for Veterans. NOTE: These funds may be used to provide admission or food for volunteers and staff necessary to implement such activities.
• Social Work Emergent Needs - this fund is utilized to assist patients with transportation or other needs related to an emergent event.  Patients utilizing this fund have little or no funds AND must be screened by a Social Worker. This fund also supports the Homeless Outreach program.
• Whole Health – This fund provides support for wellness events that include modalities such as: tai chi, yoga, other mindfulness and meditation programs, massage, aromatherapy and education classes.
• Women Veterans - this fund provides items specific to the Women Veterans Clinic and outreach initiatives in support of this group of Veterans.

Contact us

To schedule a time to drop off your donation or to volunteer, please contact CDCE at:

St. Cloud VA Medical Center
Center for Development and Civic Engagement
Building 8
4801 Veterans Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56303-2015
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT
Phone: 320-255-6365       Email: vhastcvavsstaff@va.gov