Organization seeks volunteers

The local Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) is looking to recruit more volunteers to ensure the program serving Sanders County veterans continues to run smoothly.

The Sanders County Local Area DAV VTN team of six volunteers is running as many days a week as possible from Thompson Falls and Plains, transporting local veterans to their Veterans Administration (VA) scheduled appointments to Missoula, Kalispell and Fort Harrison in Helena. Increasing the number of volunteers ensures that drivers are available when veterans request needed transport.

Volunteers drive the DAV vans and transportation costs are covered by the VA, to provide free transport to the veterans and at no expense to the volunteer drivers. They are not paid or compensated in any way for their time. Veterans served us, now DAV and volunteers serve them in return; the gratitude of the veterans they transport is their only compensation.

Drivers don’t need to be veterans themselves to volunteer. Applicants are required to pass a driver’s physical and background check administered by the VA, to ensure the safety of the veterans and other drivers. Volunteers also need a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Drivers go through annual recertification training. The VA covers the costs of those checks.

To volunteer, contact the Local Area Coordinator at (406) 242-0217 or Volunteer Services at Fort Harrison in Helena at (406) 447-7406.

The DAV service is available to all veterans. A minimum m72-hour notice is required. Veterans are advised to call (406) 242-0217 as soon as notice of appointment is received to reserve a ride. The DAV vans are not equipped to transport limited mobility, handicapped wheelchair dependent individuals. VA offers handicapped equipped vans through the Veteran Transportation Service. To book a ride, call (406) 447-6270 or (855) 887-6859.