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New Dublin VA group looking for 'angels' for veterans

Macon Telegraph (GA) - 2/26/2015

Feb. 26--About three months ago Bunny Smith started poking around for a volunteer opportunity when she found Soldiers' Angels.

The group's goal of supporting veterans and active-duty military members sounded like just what she was looking for. But when she called to offer her help, she had no idea she would soon be in charge of starting a new chapter.

Smith learned that Soldiers' Angels was planning on establishing a group of volunteers at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin. Smith, a Dublin resident, was asked if she would help out, and she agreed.

Recently the hospital and Soldiers' Angels announced a partnership, and now Smith is recruiting people to help her.

Soldiers' Angels is a nonprofit organization that works in VA hospitals across they country and also helps deployed soldiers. It provides veterans in need with a variety of services, including sack lunches, personal hygiene kits, blankets and more.

Smith believes Angels can have a big impact at the hospital.

"I'm hoping once the word gets out and people see what we do, we will be able to do quite a bit," she said. "We are taking baby steps right now."

She hopes some civic clubs and student groups might get involved by collecting items for kits and putting the kits together.

Dean Swan, chief of volunteers at the Dublin VA, said Soldiers' Angels previously focused on supporting deployed soldiers, but in recent months has moved to assist those in VA hospitals. Even before the establishment of the Dublin chapter, Swan said, the state organization already was helping, including providing Christmas gifts for veterans.

"They go in and truly see what the needs are and then go back out and find those items," Swan said.

Anyone interested in helping Soldiers' Angels should call Smith at 478-275-1924 or email bsmith@soldiersangels.org.

For more information on the organization, go to www.soldiersangels.org.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.

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(c)2015 The Macon Telegraph (Macon, Ga.)

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