Dear Veteran Community,
We’re gearing up to provide free rides for eligible local veterans to their VA-scheduled medical appointments through the Sonoma County DAV Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN). This vital program ensures that ambulatory veterans who have no other means of transportation can access the care they need. The program is a door-to-door service, picking up eligible veterans from their homes to transport them to their appointments at the VA in Santa Rosa and their VA community appointments. But here’s the catch: we can’t start driving until enough volunteer drivers are on board!
Ready to make a difference? By joining the VTN, you’ll play a vital role in helping veterans get the care they deserve. Whether you have a few hours a week or a month, every bit counts in getting the program rolling.
We’re excited to announce that our Transportation Coordinator has been hired and is currently in training. But to make this program successful, we need more than just drivers—we need help with outreach, too. If you can’t drive, you can still get involved by volunteering as a coordinator to help manage driver schedules or joining the outreach crew to help spread the word about this life-saving program.
A Call to All Veterans
We know many veterans belong to multiple organizations, such as other Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), churches, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Kiwanis, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Knights of Columbus, and many other community organizations. We ask you to share this program with every group you’re part of to help us expand our reach and build a strong team of drivers and supporters. We would be very grateful for those who can help arrange a meeting for the Transportation Coordinator to meet with your organization as a group speaker.
Fundraising for VTN Vehicles
DAV Chapter 48 continues to fundraise to purchase more VTN vehicles for the program to donate to the VA specifically for this program. The more vehicles and drivers we have, the more veterans we can help. Our ideal vehicle for this program is the Ford Edge. VTN vehicles are exclusively Ford models due to the longstanding relationship between Ford and DAV.
This partnership began in 1922 when Henry Ford organized a cross-country caravan of 50 Model T vehicles to transport disabled veterans to the DAV national convention in San Francisco. Ford’s commitment to supporting disabled veterans laid the foundation for a nearly century-long collaboration, during which Ford has consistently provided vehicles to DAV’s programs, including the VTN. Today, this enduring partnership ensures veterans access to reliable transportation and the care they need. Click Here For Article
If your organization—or any group you’re part of—is interested in donating a brand-new Ford vehicle to the VA for the VTN program, please contact us for more details!
Why the Success of the Sonoma County VTN Matters to Veterans in Neighboring Counties
The success of the Sonoma County DAV Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN) is crucial not only for local veterans but also for those in neighboring counties who rely on the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAMC). Here’s why:
This program serves underrepresented veterans, particularly those in rural areas, who often face significant challenges accessing transportation. Veterans in these communities are disproportionately affected by the lack of reliable options, making it even harder for them to attend their VA-scheduled medical appointments. By addressing these barriers, the VTN helps improve health outcomes and quality of life for veterans who might otherwise go without care.
If the program thrives in Sonoma County, it sets the foundation for expanding into nearby counties, bringing free, reliable transportation to more veterans within the SFVAMC network. Many veterans across the region face similar transportation challenges, struggling to access their VA-scheduled medical appointments. By demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in Sonoma County, we can replicate its model, secure additional resources, and extend these vital services to help even more veterans.
A successful program in Sonoma County also strengthens the case for increased funding, community support, and volunteer recruitment, benefiting the entire SFVAMC system. It paves the way for a comprehensive regional network of transportation services for veterans, ensuring they get the care they need, no matter where they live.
Your support today in Sonoma County can make a lasting impact far beyond its borders, helping veterans in neighboring areas access life-saving medical care. Together, we can build a transportation network that serves all veterans in the SFVAMC system.
Are you interested in helping? You can learn more by visiting our website and letting us know you are interested. Then, please email or leave us a message, and Chapter 48 will forward your inquiry to the new Transportation Coordinator to set up an appointment with you. We will also inform you on our website when the new Transportation Coordinator is set up with their direct lines of communication (email/phone) so you can contact him directly.
Outreach Materials are available on our website and in print! Download a new 8.5 x 11 flyer, save shareable images, or connect with our social media accounts for free sharing. Printed materials are also available upon request to help spread the word.
👉 Visit https://dav48sonoma.org/transportation/ or reply to this email or contact us at 707-595-0324 or DAV48Phone@gmail.com to get involved.
Together, we can honor this legacy and ensure Sonoma County veterans get the care they need.
Thank you,
DAV CA Chapter 48 Sonoma
Chapter 48 phone: 707-595-0324
Chapter 48 public email: DAV48phone@gmail.com
Mailing address: PO Box 762, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
Chapter 48 website: https://dav48sonoma.org
CrabFeed: https://dav48sonoma.org/crab-feeds/
DAV Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN): https://dav48sonoma.org/transportation/
Chapter 48 Facebook Public Page: https://www.facebook.com/DAV48Sonoma
DAV VTN Facebook Public Page: https://www.facebook.com/DAVVTNSonoma
Chapter 48 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dav48sonoma/
DAV VTN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davvtnsonoma
DAV VTN TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sonomacountydav
Chapter 48 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dav48512i20
Chapter 48 on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIhb-2mA5gA79I8_MvCtrlQ
Meetings are every 2nd Saturday of the month at noon in the Clubroom of the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building (1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa, CA). Come early to enjoy coffee and camaraderie.