DAV will be launching the Forward March campaign this coming March. The campaign is a month-long volunteer initiative that debuted last year to bolster volunteerism through the Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP).

“We have seen a solid increase in the reporting of LVAP hours over the last year,” said DAV National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst. “600,000 more hours were reported in 2017. In addition to increased reporting from our active members, I believe the introduction of Forward March assisted in this area, so let’s keep this momentum going.”

During the inaugural campaign, DAV added 100 volunteers and nearly 2,300 additional volunteer hours in aide of veterans and their families.

This year, with the unveiling of a new DAV website at www.volunteerforveterans.org the hope is to add even more volunteers and even more hours during the month, as well as for the foreseeable future.

The idea behind the website is to create a web-based community where willing individuals can sign up to volunteer for veterans in their local communities. At the same time, veterans, their advocates, caregivers and even DAV chapters will be able to sign up and request help as needed.

“This creates a one-stop shop for all things volunteer related,” Kleindienst said. “The days of searching the Internet for favorable volunteer activities are over. All you need to do is visit the site and sign up. Volunteers will see what various opportunities to impact a veteran’s life are available in their area.”

Another plus about the new website is that volunteers can track their hours directly on www.volunteerforveterans.org. Which makes it easy for volunteers to be eligible for one of the many volunteer awards through DAV.

“We know people want to give back, but they might not know how. We also know veterans who need assistance in a variety of ways,” said Kleindienst. “Through this initiative, and the new website it is easy to connect the need to the help.”

“Forward March will encourage people to support veterans through the program and to encourage others to participate through their social networks,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess.

Individuals participating in Forward March will receive a welcome letter from DAV and a “thank-you” gift for their participation.

“One of our goals with the Forward March campaign is to make it easier than ever to get involved and volunteer, linking volunteers to opportunities and inspiring individuals to locate the opportunities via this new website,” said Burgess. “They will be able to volunteer based on their strengths and the unique needs of the veterans in their community.”

“We are not asking people to change their lives by donating an exorbitant amount of time,” said DAV National Commander Delphine Metcalf-Foster. “We are asking people to change a veteran’s life by doing a little something to give back. It’s amazing how much an hour can make a difference. Whether you’re a veteran who has been helped by DAV or someone whose benefited from their sacrifices, you’ll get back more spiritual equity than what you put into participating in this program.”

If you or anyone you know would like to learn more about DAV’s Local Veterans Assistance Program and other volunteer opportunities visit www.volunteerforveterans.org and stay tuned for more on DAV’s Forward March campaign.