Phone number: 832-8408
Contact person: Grant Caughey
A Lawrence veterans group needs the help of a few good men and women.
Grant Caughey, commander of Disabled American Veterans Jayhawk Chapter No. 22, said volunteers are needed to drive veterans to Veterans Administration appointments in Topeka and Leavenworth.
The transportation service is provided to veterans who can't drive or who have no one else to drive them to appointments.
"And we are getting more calls for driving," he said.
Caughey said when he started coordinating the transportation program in 1997, the chapter had 15 to 20 drivers. That number dwindled as the volunteers aged.
The organization has six to eight volunteer drivers now, but they are not always available.
"If no one is available, we have to tell the vet and they have to reschedule or get someone else to do it," he said.
The chapter has its own minivan so drivers do not have to use their vehicles. Volunteers are likely to be called into service once a week, with each trip taking three to six hours.
Volunteers must have a valid driver's license and complete an interview at the Veterans Administration office in Topeka. A background check will be done on candidates before they obtain a volunteer badge.
Veterans needing rides can call Caughey, 832-8408, who will then contact a volunteer driver and make transportation arrangements.
The Jayhawk Chapter meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month. In addition to the transportation program, the chapter and its auxiliary take meals to veterans in nursing homes and provide holiday gift packages to veterans in need.
Last week's results
Kansas Legal Services received a number of calls from people who wanted to volunteer at Jayhawk Support Services for Elders after the agency appeared in last week's "How You Can Help."
Dawn Pennington, a legal assistant, said the agency received seven or eight calls from volunteers who wanted to visit, help balance checkbooks, contact creditors and pay bills for adults older than 60.
However, more volunteers are needed. The program serves about 30 residents in Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas counties.
Volunteers must complete a training session, which lasts up to 90 minutes and includes information about Medicare, Medicaid and referral agencies.
To volunteer or for more information, call Pennington at 354-8531.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.