New vehicle will help veterans get to medical appointments

Jan 21, 2024 at 10:38 pm by Observer-Review


Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for free transportation to medical appointments
BY Samantha Lape-Kesel
The Yates County community came together to help donate a seven-passenger vehicle to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for free transportation to medical appointments. The new Ford Explorer was presented to VA Finger Lakes Director, Bruce Tucker by DAV Chapter 4 Commander Ron Edwards Tuesday, Jan. 16 at the Canandaigua VA Outpatient Clinic.
The purchase was made possible largely through the fundraising efforts of Yates County resident Leigh Ackart. Major contributors included the Johnson-Costello American Legion Post 355 in Penn Yan, the Yates County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 745, the Penn Yan Moose Lodge, the Penn Yan Elks Lodge and Relative Risk Brewing.
“Our Yates County partners donated funds raised to the Chapter 4 DAV, Canandaigua Chapter who submitted the vehicle request to the Department of New York DAV, matching those funds. The result, is a brand new addition to the Canandaigua VAMC’s DAV fleet,” said Gina Deck, program manager, VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement.
Yates County and the VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System are seeking qualified volunteer drivers to transport ambulatory Veterans to and from their VA appointments. A town hall meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Yates County Office Building Auditorium to provide information about the new vehicle and the DAV driver program, and to allow interested drivers to apply.
If you are interested in becoming a driver but cannot attend the town hall meeting, please contact the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement at 585-393-7757.
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