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What is VAVS? The Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) was founded in 1946 as a program to provide for our nation's veterans while they are cared for by VA health care facilities. VAVS is the largest volunteer program in the Federal government. More than 350 national and community organizations support VAVS. Since 1946, VAVS volunteers have donated 495 million hours of service. As VA has expanded its care of veteran patients into the community, volunteers have become involved. They assist veteran patients by augmenting staff in such settings as end of life care programs, foster care, community-based volunteer programs, hospital wards, nursing homes, and veteran outreach centers. VAVS volunteers are special and generous people. They and their organizations annually contribute an estimated $40 million in gifts and donations. In FY2000, all VAVS volunteers contributed a total of 13,190,568 hours of service to veterans. Monetary estimates aside, it is impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing that these VAVS volunteers give to veteran patients. VAVS volunteers are a priceless asset to America's veterans and to the VA. |