“It takes a village” may be an overtired trope, yet in the case of Volunteers Love Serving Veterans, a solid corps contributes to the nonprofit that interacts with area military veterans.
Planning for its full calendar of events, members meet monthly from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays at SonBridge Center for Better Living, 1200 S.E. 12th St., College Place.
“Already, for 2026, the volunteers at our meetings have tripled and we are excited about new activities with volunteer growth, including young people,” said newly elected President Dixie Ferguson.
In 2025, that corps of caring individuals served 1,500 veterans and volunteered 3,350 hours.
In 2024 they served about 1,714 veterans and gave 3,745 in volunteer hours.
VLSV is connected with the community. Many other area businesses, agencies and service groups also contribute time, materials and funds to its ongoing activities for veterans, including the Blue Mountain Action Council Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program; Eastgate Lions Club; and Presbyterian Church of Walla Walla.
VLSV members help with Walla Walla Senior Citizens Center Adult Day Center parties and its Christmas Bazaar and the center opens rooms for VLSV meetings and other needs.
Christmas bags are sewn by prisoners working in the Washington State Penitentiary Sustainable Practices Lab and SonBridge donates material for those VLSV bags.
VLSV volunteers with Randy Grudzinski’s Crash Fest and receives all the entry fees for the car show.
The Walla Walla High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, guided by U.S. Army Senior Army Instructor Tony Marrero, sets up and helps VLSV with its POW-MIA event.
Corps of Recovery Discovery volunteers when veterans need assistance moving, with yard work and other tasks.
Combat Vets International Chapter 10 members attend meetings and help with events and VLSV assists them.
American Association of University Women-Walla Walla donates books for veterans care packages.
P1FCU provided and helped serve ice cream for past Valentine’s socials at the VA Home.
Walla Walla County Democrats provided cookies for the Veterans Home Christmas party and balloons for other parties.
The local chapter of the Reserve Organization of America intends to contribute in various ways moving forward, said former VLSV president Carolyne Meagher.
“We hope to get younger people involved, including in area schools.”
On occasion Exchange Club of Walla Walla has invited Meagher and Ferguson to its noon meetings and provided donations to support VLSV; the Dollar Store sets aside seasonal party supplies and items for overseas care packages.
Donations are accepted at Volunteers Love Serving Veterans, c/o 444 Easy St., Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Retired editor/journalist Annie Charnley Eveland freelances stories for the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.