To the Journal editor:

April 18-24 is Volunteer Appreciation Week. It has been over a year since we have had volunteers on-site at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans. The absence of our volunteers is significant and felt daily.

Historically, we capture 9,000-plus hours of volunteer service at the DJJHV each year. Volunteers play a very special role at the DJJHV and simply allow us to do more for the veterans who live at the home.

At the DJJHV, we are incredibly fortunate to have the most dedicated volunteers and supporters. Volunteers come from many service groups, including the American Legion and Auxiliary, AMVETS and Auxiliary, Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary, the Elks, Marine Corps League, the Masons, Military Order of the Purple Heart and Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary and Vietnam Veterans of America. Additionally, we also have many volunteers with no special affiliation beyond their commitment to serving veterans.

Traditionally, the DJJHV is busy with activity and volunteers help in many ways, including running bingo and the haberdashery, helping with church services, helping with outings and special events like Member Carnival, Holiday Gift Shop, and picnics, providing friendly and comforting visits, physical and monetary donations and so much more.

Over the past year, volunteers have continued to support the veterans at the DJJHV by loading music on iPods, returning cans, finding books upon member request, creating birthday videos, filling Santa’s wish list, sewing masks, surgical caps, and quilts, creating door decorations, video chats with veterans, just to name a few.

We are still blessed with an abundance of support and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who supports the veterans and staff at the DJJHV.

Volunteers, we miss you. We look forward to seeing you again and thank you all for your support.

With gratitude,