DEL HAVEN – “Fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.”
The mission statement of the Disabled American Veterans is simple and important. Now a part of that mission is in jeopardy in Cape May County.
DAV Chapter 44 runs a transportation service for county veterans in need of help getting to medical appointments at the Philadelphia or Wilmington U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.
Van transportation also is available for local clinics, doctors’ offices, and out-patient services.
In early August these vans may have to be pulled off the road denying critical service to veterans because the DAV has lost the funding source to pay for insurance for the vehicles, an annual bill of $6,200.
A Go-Fund-Me page was set up by Middle Township Committeeman Timothy Donohue, but contributions are far short of the goal.
Fred Trasatti, the coordinator for the DAV transportation services, says that the three vans provide an essential service in Cape May County.
Since assuming his role in October 2013, Trasatti said that over 2,100 have been transported over 190,000 miles using 8,700 hours of volunteer time.
A single trip to the Wilmington VA Hospital can consume resources with a two-hour trip each way and wait time at the facility while the veteran receives care, all of that time is put in by the 10 volunteer drivers, and many of them are disabled veterans.
Those wishing to help sustain this service can donate through the Go-Fund-Me page or by mail to DAV Chapter 44, 1010 Bayshore Road, Del Haven, N.J. 08251.
Anyone using the mail is asked to designate the contribution for the “Van Service” on the envelope.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.
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