For over 20 years, a transportation service has been provided to local veterans. The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) van was started by Ron Hayden and another veteran, who saw fellow servicemen needing assistance to get transportation to appointments at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock.
The van was purchased with community-raised funds and grants available for transporation needs. It was later donated to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the organization overseeing the DAV van.
When mileage gets too high on the vans, they are sold to churches or other groups. The profit is used as “seed” money to start the search for another vehicle.
Local DAV commander Dan Hall was Wednesday’s guest of the Talk of the Town on KTLO-FM, and he says all of scheduling and transportation is being conducted through local volunteers.
Listen:
Hall adds while the van continues to transport veterans to Little Rock, more of the healthcare services they need are being provided locally.
Listen:
Veterans needing to make a request for transportation should call 870-425-2003, and they’ll get an answering machine. Leave a name, a call-back number and the date of the appointment, and a volunteer will return the call to confirm the appointment and inform of the pickup time. Veterans should schedule the van ride at least one day before the appointment, but two days would be preferable.
For more information about volunteering or donating to the DAV, contact Hall at 870-421-2322.
This month, Our Community Cares, sponsored by Advanced Auto Body, Danny Porter of Century 21 LeMac Realty, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Pizza Hut and KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot, recognizes the Disabled American Veterans and its service to provide needed transportation to local veterans. Learn more at ktlo.com/ourcommunitycares.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI