VA San Diego Healthcare System

Tom Lamb (left), a volunteer driver for San Diego VAMC, along with his beloved wife.

Today, there are over seven thousand volunteer drivers working to escort disabled Veterans to and from VA Medical Centers around the country. But back in 1983, there was only one and he worked for the VA Medical Center in San Diego.

Tom Lamb had ten years volunteer experience when he started helping patients with transportation to reach their appointments; as a Navy Veteran, it was his way of giving back. His efforts were a milestone for the VA’s volunteer program in that it started nearly a year before the Disabled Veteran (DAV) Network started their Transportation Program at VA Medical Centers around the country. Mr. Lamb cherished his time spent with “His Veterans,” as he called them, and ensured each was safely transported to and from their residence and the hospital when they had appointments during the week. 

Mr. Lamb also donated his time during the annual Veterans Homeless Outreach “Stand Down,” a three-day event where he assisted transporting homeless Veterans from the makeshift Veterans Village set up downtown to the hospital for care.  He worked 18-hour days for the entire event.  Mr. Lamb, despite being one of the older drivers always asked to participate in these weekends so the younger drivers with families would not have to be away from their children. 

In total, Tom drove 297,519 miles transporting 3,309 Veterans as a DAV Transportation Driver.
   
In addition to being a driver, Mr. Lamb was certified as an official Deputy Representative to the local VA Voluntary Service Committee and represented DAV at quarterly meetings enhancing communications between the DAV and the VA until his retirement from volunteering.

If you’re interested in volunteer opportunities, please visit this link: http://www.sandiego.va.gov/giving/index.asp