In April 1946, The American Legion Family joined forces with several other veteran service organizations, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to form what is known as Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS). Today, American Legion Auxiliary volunteers serve alongside members of the community as VAVS volunteers and as volunteers through the Auxiliary’s own Service to Veterans program.

Our VAVS program has three chairmanships. The VAVS chair is the liaison between the Veterans Rehabilitation chair, the Service to Veterans chair and the VA hospital and Bennington Veterans Home directors.

The Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Guide provides detailed training and information for volunteers on working with the Veterans affairs health facilities to support veteran rehabilitation. This program has consolidated the VAVS program of in-hospital services and the former Service to Veterans community and home services into one coordinated volunteer service area.

This volunteer work is a significant part of our Auxiliary’s direct service to veterans. Our local National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, the Tree of Warmth and Gift Giving are annual events and all the service by individual Auxiliary members is captured by the Service to Veterans program.

The Facebook link is https://www.facebook.com/groups/ALAVAR/