Volunteer Opportunities
Removal of flags - Florida National Cemetery - June 2, 2016
Villages-News.com May 19, 2016
Volunteers are desperately needed for the task of removing more than 100,000 flags at the Florida National Cemetery near Bushnell after Memorial Day weekend. There already are enough volunteers to place the flags on soldiers’ graves before the weekend, said Villager Jack Johnson, Florida commander of the Disabled American Veterans. “Last year, we didn’t have enough people to remove the flags,” he said. “If that happens this year, we won’t be allowed to place flags next year to honor our fallen heroes.” Placing flags at the national cemetery began two years ago. At that time, the Bushnell cemetery was one of only 10 of the nation’s 131 national cemeteries without flags on Memorial Day. The effort was spearheaded by the Flags for Fallen Heroes organization.
Transportation
A bus with flag-removal volunteers will leave the Spanish Springs bus depot in The Villages at 8 a.m. June 2. To volunteer, email Johnson at dav150jack@gmail.com or call him at 352-259-4743.
Villages-News.com May 19, 2016
Volunteers are desperately needed for the task of removing more than 100,000 flags at the Florida National Cemetery near Bushnell after Memorial Day weekend. There already are enough volunteers to place the flags on soldiers’ graves before the weekend, said Villager Jack Johnson, Florida commander of the Disabled American Veterans. “Last year, we didn’t have enough people to remove the flags,” he said. “If that happens this year, we won’t be allowed to place flags next year to honor our fallen heroes.” Placing flags at the national cemetery began two years ago. At that time, the Bushnell cemetery was one of only 10 of the nation’s 131 national cemeteries without flags on Memorial Day. The effort was spearheaded by the Flags for Fallen Heroes organization.
Transportation
A bus with flag-removal volunteers will leave the Spanish Springs bus depot in The Villages at 8 a.m. June 2. To volunteer, email Johnson at dav150jack@gmail.com or call him at 352-259-4743.
VHA - Helping Hands Program
If you have the desire to give back to our community via volunteering - consider VHA's “Helping Hands Program.” We need volunteers to pick up and deliver durable medical equipment to and from those who need it. You’ll be trained on how to do it, your name will go on a list, and when a need arises, you’ll be called and asked on a rotating basis, to see if you’re available to help.
CONTACT: Charles Wilkes, Program coordinator - 352-973-2284 (to help or to donate to VHA's Helping Hands Program)
AUTO: If you have a vehicle that can haul a wheelchair, transport chair, crutches or other durable
medical equipment, you can help us help our residents. Most items will fit in a car
TRUCK: Only when we have large items do we need someone with a van or truck
If you have the desire to give back to our community via volunteering - consider VHA's “Helping Hands Program.” We need volunteers to pick up and deliver durable medical equipment to and from those who need it. You’ll be trained on how to do it, your name will go on a list, and when a need arises, you’ll be called and asked on a rotating basis, to see if you’re available to help.
CONTACT: Charles Wilkes, Program coordinator - 352-973-2284 (to help or to donate to VHA's Helping Hands Program)
AUTO: If you have a vehicle that can haul a wheelchair, transport chair, crutches or other durable
medical equipment, you can help us help our residents. Most items will fit in a car
TRUCK: Only when we have large items do we need someone with a van or truck