As part of The VAP WAY we are committed as a Team to always give back to our community. We do this by participating in various events and fundraisers chosen by The VAP Team Members each year. Most of our charity work is done internally via food drives and care boxes that get passed out to those in need. A couple times a year we get the excellent opportunity of being up front and personal with these charity events. In 2018, we made care packages for kids which we delivered at Children’s Medical Center in Dayton and passed out hats, gloves and blankets to those unfortunately without homes.
This year we had the opportunity to volunteer during the food bank at the Dayton VA. I was fortunate enough to be in the first team along with Willie Dixon to go and help during the day. We were given the option of being in registration, a personal shopper, running carts or loading the boxes into the veteran’s cars. 
It was wet and dreary day, so I chose to work the loading dock where I help to bring the carts to those loading into the vehicles. During this time, I got to meet most of the veterans and was very humbled and honored in all we could do to help supply food for them. During one of the very few slow times, I took a moment to talk to those running the program and they stated the average number of families that come through each time is roughly 145. That day we were able to help around 160 wonderful families that have given so much to this great country. The VA is currently looking to launch a home delivery program that will help bring food to those that are unable to come out which would be a great addition to a young and thriving program. After finishing the shift, all I could think about was wanting to do this over and over as it meant so much to be able to help first hand and seeing the smiling faces as we made their day a little brighter.
As a company, we strive to take care of both our customers and this great community we live in. I’ve been with VAP for 9 years now and look forward too many more years of giving back.
