Title Volunteer or donate Meta Meta description You can make a difference when you volunteer at or donate to the VA Central Ohio Healthcare System. Content Page introduction VA Central Ohio Healthcare System depends on the goodwill of our supporters. You can make a difference when you help us serve our Veterans. Generate a table of contents from major headings No table contents Main content Become a volunteer Volunteers provide many important functions throughout the health care system and help make our patients' stay more enjoyable. Volunteers can perform a number of services, and a volunteer's talents are closely matched with one of our many assignments. Get started To become a volunteer, fill out an application and return it to our Voluntary Services office. You can drop the form off in person or mail the form to VA Central Ohio Healthcare System Voluntary Services Office: VA Central Ohio Healthcare System ATTN: Voluntary Services 420 N. James Road Columbus, OH 43219 A voluntary service specialist will contact you about next steps and to set up an interview. Benefits & requirements In addition to supporting Veterans in your area, you'll enjoy the following benefits as a VA volunteer: Free Canteen meals during shifts of four or more hours Duty/tax free shopping at our retail store Scholarship opportunities for youth volunteers Virtual volunteer opportunities Free parking at your volunteer facility Educational opportunities, such as CPR training Annual tuberculosis test Free annual flu shots Job skills development Career exploration opportunities Requirements include... Passing required background check (agency provided) Excellent customer service skills Team player Commitment of at least four hours per week Volunteer duties Whatever your interests, VA has volunteer opportunities for you. Our volunteer duties fall into three categories: Recreational (focused on general support services), Clinical (focused on patient care), and Operational (focused on logistical or administrative tasks). Recreational Wheelchair Escort - Escort patients to various clinics throughout the facility Recreation/Whole Health - Assist with arts and crafts projects, help Whole Health Team with a variety of different activities. Coffee program - Prepare and serve coffee and refreshments. Clinical Pharmacy - Assist the pharmacy department with pick up window. Food and nutrition - Assist Oncology patients with selecting meals and delivering those meals during their appointments. Radiology - Escort patients to and from Radiology appointments. Ambassador volunteers - Greet outpatients, guests, visitors and patients' families, answer phones and transfer calls. Ambassador volunteers are stationed at the main information desk. Urgent Care - Run errands and escort patients. Surgical waiting room - Greet families, serve coffee, meet with medical staff, and provide information to families. Compassionate Contact Corps – Call patients to provide telephone companionship for Veterans who are homebound or isolated. Patient Reminder Calls – Call patients to remind them of their upcoming medical appointments. Operational Office assistant - Type, file, answer phones, keep records, and do data entry. Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) - Drive patients from to and from VA medical appointments. Mail Delivery – Act as courier for internal mail. Virtual Volunteer Opportunities – Various Questions? For more information you can: Stop by the Voluntary Services office Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call the Voluntary Services office at 614-257-5493 Email Voluntary Services at VHACOSCDCEVolunteerServices@VA.gov Make a donation Generous donations from the community helps us provide enhanced services to Veterans receiving care. You can make a monetary donation by mail or drop off a donation of materials to our facility after coordinating with Voluntary services staff. Donate by mail If you'd like to donate to VACOHCS, please send a check (payable to "VA Central Ohio Healthcare System") to the following address: VA Central Ohio Healthcare System Attention: Voluntary Service (00V) 420 North James Road Columbus, OH 43219 How to make a material (in-kind) donation in person Some donors prefer to make monetary contributions to VA Central Ohio Healthcare System, and others prefer to donate goods needed by Veterans. We accept donations at our main facility and can arrange for donations to be delivered to our Community Based Outpatient Clinics. (CBOCS) Your material donations are used to support various programs for the Veterans we serve: For more information on donating materials, or to schedule a time to drop off your donation, please contact Voluntary Services: Phone: 614-257-5493 The following list outlines to most needed in-kind donations for our Veterans. Personal care Roll-on deodorant (travel size) Tissues Dental supplies: toothbrushes, toothpaste, toothbrush holders, non-alcoholic mouthwash (small size), and denture adhesive Shaving cream or gel (travel size) Reading glasses Body-care products: body splash, lotion, and body wash 3 and 1 body wash Shampoo and conditioner Disinfectant wipes Hand sanitizers Refreshments Chips, pretzels, snack crackers, and granola bars (single serving sizes) Soda (Regular and diet soda; caffeine free is preferred) Raisins Pudding cups Slim Jims Coffee (regular or decaf) and coffee creamer Grocery gift cards Assorted Items Gift cards for outpatient programs Markers for art projects Canteen (meal) Coupons Bus Passes Gas Cards Donations provide for the increasing needs of the Veterans we serve. All donations are tax-deductible. Donate money or time If you would like to volunteer to donate your time, or financially, please call the Voluntary Service Office at 614-257-5493 or visit the VA Voluntary Service Volunteer or Donate Page.