Dogs on Deployment - Serve Virginia

Dogs on Deployment

RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Dogs on Deployment

May 3, 2023

Congratulations to Dogs on Deployment of Newport News – winner of the 2018 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Community Organization! Have you ever wondered what happens to pets when their military owner is deployed? Dogs on Deployment is a nationwide nonprofit organization that assists military members and veterans in finding free temporary homes for their pets during times of deployment, hospitalization, training, homelessness, and other circumstances. Additionally, Dogs on Deployment provides financial assistance to military members and veterans for the care and treatment of their pets when the cost becomes prohibitive. The Hampton Roads Chapter began three years ago and has already become the largest chapter in the country with more than 200 volunteers across the region! Volunteers participate in all aspects of the organization — fostering animals, public speaking, community and military events, fundraising, and more. With a high military population and a large VA hospital in the region, this important service means that military members don’t have to surrender their pets to local animal shelters – a common occurrence in the past. As part of the national program, Dogs on Deployment has fostered nearly 1,200 pets and provided financial assistance to military members and veterans in excess of $400,000. For veterans and military members and their families, Dogs on Deployment provides invaluable comfort knowing they won’t have to say goodbye to their beloved family member when they are suddenly unable to care for them. They can rest assured that they have an army of volunteers dedicated to making sure they will have a happy and emotional reunion when they come back home. Read more Volunteer Stories! Submit a Story!

Mark Fero

Story of Service: Mark Fero

Having offered years of service and expertise to Serve Virginia, Mark Fero recently concluded his term on the Governor’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism (GAB). Mark first got involved in service and volunteerism in 1988 when Robert Eggar asked him if he wanted to volunteer and help him start the DC Central Kitchen, an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation, which opened in 1989. Mark reflects, "Since then, DC Central Kitchen has became one of the most respected and emulated nonprofit agencies in the world, producing and distributing more than 4,000...

Rosealee Maxey

Story of Service: Rosealee Maxey

Rosealee Maxey, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia Senior Corps – Senior Companion of the Year - Senior Companions are volunteers age 55 and over who make a difference by providing assistance and friendship to adults who have difficulty with daily living tasks, such as shopping or paying bills. Rosealee Maxey is always there for the seniors she serves in her Hampton Roads senior apartment complex -- coordinating activities and meals for the residents, providing transportation to doctor’s appointments, taking her clients out for manicures and pedicures, and even traveling to the hospital daily when one of her clients became ill. Read...

Nancy Feldner

Story of Service: Nancy Feldner

Nancy Feldner is a volunteer with the Columbia Baptist Church's Spend Yourself Food Pantry ministry in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia. As a professional chef and baker, she first came to Spend Yourself to provide cooking and nutrition presentations for those served through the Food Pantry and saw a way to meet additional community needs. Six years ago, she initiated God's Closet (El Armario de Dios), which provides clothing and supplies to Food Pantry clients, especially those with infants and preschoolers. She assists hundreds of families each year, volunteering more than 100 hours each month to help meet the needs of low-income...

GrandInvolve

Story of Service: GrandInvolve

Congratulations to GrandInvolve of Fairfax - winner of the 2017 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Community Organization! For many economically disadvantaged schools in Fairfax County, getting consistent volunteers to help out in the classroom is an immense challenge. The innovative GrandInvolve program places older adults who offer their skills and talents to students directly into the area’s elementary schools. The seniors volunteer at the schools at least once a week for several hours assisting with reading and math, material preparation, library services, mentoring and kindergarten readiness. Each volunteer builds lasting relationships with the students by coming back...

CVP Windows and Doors

Story of Service: CVP Windows and Doors

Since 2001, CVP Windows and Doors has gone above and beyond in addressing Virginia’s critical need for affordable housing. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg since 2021, CVP Windows and Doors has donated and installed windows, exterior doors, and patio sliders for over 20 homes. By contributing both materials and skilled labor, CVP Windows and Doors significantly reduces construction costs, enabling more families to achieve the stability, independence, and generational opportunity that homeownership provides. CVP Windows and Doors’ commitment extends beyond construction. Team members volunteer year-round with the Grove Christian Outreach Center, supporting food drives, summer lunch...

Gina De Naples

Story of Service: Gina De Naples

Gina De Naples, an AmeriCorps member serving with Virginia State Parks in York River State Park, has never allowed being hearing impaired to make a difference in how she has approached life and her commitment to service! Gina, a native of Greensboro, NC, served this year on the Virginia State Parks AmeriCorps Interpretive Trail Project. She received support of interpreters through the combined efforts of the Virginia State Parks (which operates within the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation), the Office of Volunteerism and Consumer Services (which operate within the Virginia Department of Social Services), and the Virginia Division for...

What’s Your Volunteer Personality?

Pair your passion with purpose. Take our Volunteer Personality Quiz and find out which volunteer direction is best for you.