The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) operates a fleet of vehicles around the country to provide free transportation for veterans with VA approved medical appointments. For local veterans, the van is driven by volunteers and coordinated through the Charles Mix County Veterans Service Office.

We are in need of volunteer drivers for our van. We are currently down to four drivers that are able to take our veterans to their appointments. As more veterans begin to use DAV transportation, four drivers will not be adequate.

Eligible drivers will need to fill out a packet of personal information to be sent to Voluntary Services at the Sioux Falls VA. Once they are approved, they will be scheduled for a physical and orientation, which takes less than three hours. Following the orientation session, you will be approved to drive a government vehicle.

The Charles Mix-Douglas County van makes trips on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If veterans need a ride, we ask them to make appointments on those days. Volunteer drivers are encouraged to be available on those days but if they have other activities or appointments, they are free to decline to drive.

All DAV van drivers are volunteers and do not receive payment for the services they provide. However, they do get reimbursed for their mileage to drive their personal vehicle to the Charles Mix County courthouse in Lake Andes to pick up the van.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver or would like to schedule a ride to an appointment, contact Charles Mix - Douglas County Veterans Service Officer Jerry Seiner at 605487-7691 or 605-481-1338 (C).

Please consider becoming a volunteer with the DAV Transportation System to ensure our veterans get the care they deserve.