COLD SPRING, Ky. — Ja’Nya R. Nickerson, who has spent a total of 713 hours spanning a four-year period volunteering at the local Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Ga., has been awarded $5,000 by DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to pursue her educational goals of studying sports medicine at Georgia Southern University.

The 18-year-old, is the recipient of DAV’s Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship, which is awarded annually to the top youth volunteers in DAV’s Voluntary Services program. The scholarship is open to volunteers age 21 and younger who have contributed a minimum of 100 hours credited through DAV or DAV Auxiliary.

The scholarship will be recognized at DAV’s 96th National Convention on July 29 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel.

“Ja’Nya’s compassion and care for veterans is truly remarkable,” said DAV National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst “Ja’Nya balanced school and a job while giving up her time to support ill and injured veterans and is a true inspiration to us all. Her selflessness and dedication to veterans is awe-inspiring.”

“Ja’Nya is an extremely talented and hardworking young woman with a bright future ahead of her,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “Ja’Nya’s compassion shined bright when she assisted veterans in Kinesiotherapy and with transportation around the hospital. Ja’Nya is a great example of the positive and life-altering difference a volunteer can make in the lives they reach.”

 

About DAV:
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; providing employment resources to veterans and their families and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a non-profit organization with 1.3 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org.