Keyboard donated to provide more music for veterans
United States Daughters of 1812 recently delivered a piano keyboard with stand to Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System Volunteer Services Chief Michael Dobbs, a gift made possible by a donation from Kim and Don Bailey.
Dobbs said in a news release that the keyboard would be used in Chaplain Services for internal and external special events at venues when a bulky piano is impactable or not available.
“Chaplains conduct counseling, rites and sacraments, memorial and celebration services, education, training and research opportunities to Veterans throughout the entire spectrum of operations at CAVHS. Spiritual care is an integral component of holistic care. Chaplain Services provide or facilitate pastoral care for people of all religions or faith traditions, as well as those who have no faith preference or religious affiliation. One way to accomplish all this is through music,” the release said.
Dobbs has been coordinating or assisting in implementing programs for veterans involving music and therapeutic activities at CAVHS supported by volunteers.
Some of the programs include Guitars for Veterans, Freedom Sings USA, and ensuring diners can “listen to soothing piano music at the CAVHS main dining room.”
Other creative arts programs include Veterans Creative Arts Local competition, Therapeutic Crafts Program, Poetry for Life and Wood Turners Pen Making.
“All the programs have assisted in the therapeutic healing for veterans support by volunteers,” the release said.
Dobbs has been chief of VAVS for seven years and is responsible for all volunteers and donations at the two medical centers and the Community Based Outpatient Clinics in central Arkansas. “CAVHS is one of the largest and busiest dual campus VA medical centers in the country. It serves as a teaching facility for more than 1,500 students and residents enrolled in more than
65 educational programs,” the release said.
VAVS oversees more than
600 volunteers, who give over
101,000 hours annually, and the distribution of approximately $1.4 million in-kind and monetary donations for veterans. Dobbs has said that it is “impossible to calculate the amount of caring and sharing VAVS volunteers provide to veteran patients.”
VAVS volunteers, community and veterans organizations contributions are “valued in the care provided to our Nation’s Military Service Veterans,” the release said.