Volunteer or donate

VA Washington DC Healthcare System depends on the goodwill of our supporters. You can make a difference when you help us serve Veterans.

Become a volunteer

Join our volunteer team and experience the rewards of helping our nation’s Veterans. We’ll match your talents with one of our many volunteer opportunities. To become a volunteer, call or visit our Voluntary Service Office:

Voluntary Service Office
Washington DC VA Medical Center Main Building
Floor GC, Room 113
Phone: 202-745-8320
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET

Volunteer benefits

As a VA volunteer, you’ll support Veterans in your area, meet interesting people, and gain valuable experience in a health care setting. You’ll also enjoy benefits like:

• Free annual flu shot and tuberculosis test
• Educational opportunities, like CPR training
• Free parking, and canteen meals during shifts of 4 hours or more
• Job search opportunities
• Job skills development

Volunteer opportunities

Whatever your interests, we have volunteer opportunities that are right for you. Here are some of the ways you can help:

Patient care

• Escort - Bring patients to medical clinics, chapel, recreation, and programs.
• Food and nutrition - Help patients select menu items, open containers, cut food into bite-size portions, and eat during mealtimes.
• Front desk(Ambassador)- Greet outpatients, guests, visitors, and patients' families, answer phones, and transfer calls at the information desk.
• Medical clinics - Visit with patients and run errands.
• Recreation - Help with activities like arts and crafts projects, bedside games, field trips, and bedside movies.

Administrative support

• Blood bank – Alphabetize paperwork and help with snacks.
• Canteen– Work in retail store and cafeteria, washing dishes, wiping tables, and filling condiments
• Grounds crew - Help groundskeeper wash equipment, trim landscape, and sweep area.
• Office assistance - Type, file, answer phones, keep records, enter data, and call patients to remind them about appointments.
• Transportation - Drive patients from their homes to VA medical centers. Must have current driver’s license, auto insurance, and physical exam.

Make a donation

Donations from people like you help us provide more services to Veterans. We accept cash donations as well as physical items that Veterans need. You can donate online, by mail, or in person. All donations are tax-deductible. Please contact your local Voluntary Service Office to arrange to drop off any large items.

Donate online

Donating is just a click away now that VA medical centers accept donations online. You just need a major credit card, debit card, checking account, or savings account.

The service provides a quick, safe way for you to pledge your support to Veterans online. You choose the medical center, the amount, and the voluntary program you’d like to help. And there are no extra fees to use the secure website, so every penny of your donation goes to help Veterans.

Donate by mail

Please send a check payable to VA Washington DC Healthcare System to:

Washington DC VA Medical Center
Voluntary Service Office
50 Irving Street, NW
Washington, DC 20422

Donate these items

Some people prefer to give money while others would rather donate specific items needed by Veterans. We’re grateful for all donations.

• Personal care items
• New clothing, socks, and underwear
• Books, puzzles, games, and art supplies
• Lap robes and blankets
• Kitchen supplies
• Cleaning supplies

Please contact the Voluntary Service Office if you have any questions about donations.

Contact us

For more information on donating items or to schedule a time to drop off your donation, please contact our voluntary service office:

Voluntary Service Office
Main Building, Floor GC, Room 113
Phone: 202-745-8320
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT

Last updated: April 4, 2024