The Jackson EMC service area is home to over 22,000 U.S. military veterans, many of whom suffered permanent disability in the service of our nation. Disabled American Veterans Chapter 92, chartered in 2006 by Commander E. J. Edwards and 25 other veterans, supports those men and women, using every dollar raised through chapter fundraisers and activities to meet their needs.

The chapter objective for 2008 is that no veteran will miss a medical appointment at the Veterans Affairs Clinic because he or she does not have transportation. A $13,500 Jackson EMC Foundation grant will help make that goal possible. The funds will go toward the purchase of a van through the DAV Transportation Network that will be used to transport approximately 100 disabled veterans between their homes and the Athens VA clinic each week.

The new van is expected to arrive in June, but DAV Chapter 92 is looking for volunteer drivers immediately. They have permission to borrow a van from the VA clinic as soon as they line up enough drivers to fill a schedule.

"The van will be stationed at the sheriff's office in Jefferson and serve the seven-county surrounding area," Commander Edwards said. "We'll need eight to 12 drivers. You don't need to be a veteran to volunteer, but you will have to pass a physical and have a good driving record." The physical will be administered by a VA doctor at no charge to the applicants.

For more information or volunteer applications, contact Roger Majchrzak at (706) 548-8246 or Robbie Blalock at (706) 795-2000.