Volunteer
If you want to get involved with the Veterans Voices Writing Project (VVWP) you may contact the VVWP office at 816-701-6844 or by email at: support@veteransvoices.org
VVWP can use your unique talents and time as a volunteer as a VVWP representative, a writing aide, writing assistant, proofreader, or a fundraiser. VVWP operates under the direction of an all-volunteer board with volunteer editors and proofreaders, who help produce the magazine, Veterans’ Voices. Without the dedication of our wonderful volunteers, Veterans’ Voices could not continue to exist as it has since 1952!
Supporting writing as good therapy… very good therapy is a rewarding investment. Writing is known for being a good, safe and easily accessible way to process thoughts, feelings, ideas and even trauma.
For veterans, seeing their work published can heal and build self-esteem.
It can mean so much to a veteran when a story, poem or artwork is published in Veterans’ Voices magazine, proving again that writing is still the good medicine. Veterans are looking for a helping hand like you to bolster their self-esteem and make them proud to have served our country. These veterans, whatever their challenge, need to know that they are not forgotten.
VVWP has gone to great lengths to instill in the hearts of veterans a pride of accomplishment, a reward for an endeavor well done. For many veterans, seeing their poetry, prose, and artwork in print is the boost that they need to help get over depression, emotional trauma, or other challenges.
More than one veteran has gone on to have a book published – and yet they still regularly contribute to the magazine. One of these veterans, Van Garner, was always encouraged when he saw his writing in print. Read his testimonial.
“VVWP is that friend that guided me from the darkness of myself into a light of trust for tomorrow,” wrote Van.
Every issue of Veterans’ Voices contains the writing and artwork of more than one hundred veterans from nearly every state. Manuscripts and letters from veterans express how thrilled they are to see their remembrances and compositions in print. You can help this long-standing American tradition to carry on by volunteering your time, your skill, and your energy to this most patriotic cause, the VVWP and Veterans’ Voices!
The Value of Volunteering
Volunteers find value in volunteering:
Mary Dobbins
Volunteer typist Mary Dobbins said, “I was taught at a young age to help people. Volunteering is helping people. In 2007, I learned about VVWP. As a writer, I was drawn to the idea of therapeutic writing. As a child of a World War II veteran, I was drawn to helping veterans. The opportunity presented itself in 2012 to become a typist for the project. I was thrilled to find a way to use my skills to help veterans. As a typist, I am able to assist the authors in telling their stories – prose or poetry. Volunteering for VVWP is the way I have found to give back to those who served our country.”
Mary Dobbins passed away after working for VVWP more than 10 years.
Shon Pernice
“The combat medic’s duty is to preserve life: on the battlefield and in peace time,” wrote Shon Pernice. “I want to continue that duty through a Veterans’ Voices writing group. I may not have bandages and IV fluids, but my new tools are pens, paper, computers and the stories of wounded heroes. In 2017, I started journaling my flashbacks, nightmares and events from the war. Creating word pictures from the thoughts in my head has helped me. It started out as therapy, but now it’s a mission. I want to give my brothers in arms some relief from the psychological prison that we are in.”
Bill Burns
“I had something to give, but did not know what. I did not have a lot of money or other goods, but I did have time. So, it is time that I put to good use, by helping others. By donating time, I discovered that I had a lot to give, more than others that I know. I got a lot back. I made many new friends. I found that I could put a smile on someone’s face by helping them find the help they needed. I learned a lot as a volunteer! I don’t need a lot of money or material possessions to help someone in need. I have what money cannot buy. I have time and time well spent. I feel good about myself and about others, so as a volunteer, I am proud to be one. If you do not have a lot of money or goods, but have the time, you, too, can be a volunteer and see the good that comes of it. Just like the Army, ‘Be all that you can be.’ Become a volunteer and you will be an Army of one!
Bill Burns, died June 1, 2004. He was a volunteer at the Dallas VA Hospital with over 3,000 hours of service and was awarded a Volunteer of the Year award for 2003.
