The Veteran Volunteer of the Year Award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding service to veterans and military members in need. We award up to two winners per state every year in recognition of these impressive volunteers.
Take a look at all of the individuals we've recognized since the Veterans Service Volunteer of the Year program began.
Know someone who qualifies? Nominate them! Complete this Veteran Volunteer of the Year nomination form and send it to your State Veterans Chair by January 31.
Congratulations to all past winners! Read about them below.
Every year, we choose one national award winner from among that year’s state-level winners and any additional national nominations. Read about these outstanding volunteers below!
•Don Tonachio of Lacey, N.J., Lodge No. 2418 is the 2022 winner. Watch a video about what he and the New Jersey Welcome Home volunteers have accomplished.
• Emma Pletz of Milwaukie-Portland, Ore., Lodge No. 142 is the 2021 winner. Read about how Emma and her Lodge were able to adapt to the pandemic and continue supporting veterans and National Guard families.
• Gary Drumheller of Sun City, Ariz., Lodge No. 2559 is the 2020 winner. Read about how Gary’s reputation for always being there for veterans spread throughout the state of Arizona and beyond.
• Earl Bouchard of Sunland-Tujunga, Calif., Lodge No. 2098 is the 2019 winner. Read about how his 30 years of volunteer service at the VA, his multiple annual events, and his knack for mentoring veterans and volunteers have improved the lives of veterans.