Dire need for volunteer drivers to transport Las Vegas vets to medical appointments

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Now more than ever, disabled veterans in Las Vegas and Clark County need help getting to and from their medical appointments. For years, volunteers – through the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Transportation Network – have filled a critical gap for veterans in the community by driving them to essential health care and wellness appointments. The demand for volunteers is dire. Veterans in Southern Nevada are missing their life-saving medical appointments because of a lack of transportation.

Vietnam Veteran Robert Marshall goes to the VA Hospital in North Las Vegas multiple times a week for treatment.

“When you go to dialysis, you don’t want to be waiting around because your lightheaded. You are going through it, it’s a challenge,” Marshall shared. Fellow Vietnam Vet Mike Lemmo, a volunteer driver was waiting to take Marshall home as he left the hospital Wednesday.

“The pandemic shut down the whole volunteer system,” Lemmo explained. Between the pandemic and volunteers aging out of service, volunteerism has dramatically declined in the last two years. There are now more vets who need a ride than there are volunteers to take them.

“It is helping people that really need it. These guys, a lot of them, are in really bad shape and it feels good to help them out,” Lemmo stated.

The public can make a big difference in the lives of veterans in the community by giving just a little bit of their time as volunteer drivers. There is no minimum commitment. Volunteers can even do just one day a week for a few hours.

Learn more about becoming a volunteer here. You can also call: (702) 791-9000 extension 19134.

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