The Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) has served America's veterans for more than fifty years and serves approximately 500,000 veterans in thirty-eight counties in North Texas and two counties in Oklahoma. VANTHCS includes the Dallas VA Medical Center (Dallas VAMC), the Sam Rayburn VA Medical Center in Bonham and the VA Outpatient Clinic in Fort Worth.
VANTHCS is a longtime supporter of the Combined Federal Campaign of North Central Texas (CFC), which is one of three public sector campaigns administered by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. In 2007, the three locations collectively raised more than $230,000.
Within VANTHCS, the Dallas VAMC has more than 3,300 employees, more than 800 volunteers and is the fourth largest campaign in the local CFC. With the support of new VANTHCS Director, Joseph M. Dalpiaz, the Dallas campus put together a great campaign committee including Chris Sandles, Assistant to the Director of the VA, who served as the Campaign Committee Chairman. Chris worked closely with Employee Campaign Coordinators Shenita Wilson-Jefferies, Donna Bohlen and Sharon Murray.
The Dallas VAMC campaign committee focused on recruiting a team of 115 volunteers to ensure that all VA employees on the Dallas campus would be contacted and given the opportunity to give. They conducted internal campaign trainings, offered time off as an incentive to volunteers and held a special volunteer recognition luncheon at the conclusion of the campaign. The leadership support and focus on campaign volunteers paid off in a huge way - the Dallas VAMC raised more than $195,000, an increase of 13 percent over 2006 in total contributions. They also experienced a 26 percent increase in campaign participation and a 6 percent increase in Leadership Giving (gifts of $1,040 or more annually).
While those who work for the VA help people on a daily basis, they go above and beyond during the annual CFC to prove that they are truly committed to helping those in need. They make a difference in individual lives and the community as a whole. United Way thanks Mr. Dalpiaz for his support and the generous employees across VANTHCS who continue to give their time and charitable contributions to the CFC.
