VA Volunteers Drive 141K Miles to Help 1,383 Veterans

When a veteran walks through the doors at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, Michigan, a volunteer in a red coat is waiting with a warm greeting and a simple question: "Do you know where you're going?"

It's a small gesture that kicks off something much bigger. Last year, volunteers at this rural VA facility logged 19,000 hours of service, the equivalent of more than nine full-time employees working year-round to support veterans seeking medical care.

The heart of the program beats on the road. 125 volunteer drivers traveled 141,000 miles in 2025 alone, transporting 1,383 veterans to and from their VA appointments across a massive service area spanning the entire Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin.

"Our driver volunteers are astounding," says Katie Maxon, chief of VA Voluntary Services. "They bring patients to our facility from Sault St. Marie, Ironwood, the Keweenaw, Rhinelander, Menominee and everywhere in between."

These aren't short trips. The Veterans Transportation Network covers hundreds of miles of rural terrain where public transit is scarce and distances between towns are vast. For many veterans in these remote communities, a volunteer driver isn't just convenient. It's the difference between getting healthcare and going without.

Inside the medical center, red coat volunteers do far more than greet patients. They staff the coffee station where veterans can grab free snacks and beverages. They provide directions, offer escorts to confused visitors, and support dozens of departments including the Care Companion hospice program.

The Ripple Effect

When volunteers donate their time, the impact multiplies beyond individual appointments. Those 19,000 hours freed up medical staff to focus on patient care instead of logistics. The 141,000 miles driven meant 1,383 veterans got the treatment they needed without missing appointments due to transportation barriers.

In rural America, where healthcare access remains a persistent challenge, these volunteers solve a critical problem with nothing but their time and compassion. They transform geographic isolation from an insurmountable obstacle into a manageable inconvenience.

The VA is honoring these volunteers during National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) with recognition lunches throughout May and June. But the real recognition comes from the veterans themselves, who walk through those sliding doors knowing someone will be there to help them find their way.

Anyone interested in joining this quiet army of helpers can call the VA Voluntary Service office at 906-774-3300, extension 32780.