By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

There are now two seven-passenger vans in Hays taking military veterans from the Hays VA clinic to the Wichita VA hospital for medical treatment. The second van was donated recently by Auto World, owned by Dick and Kay Werth.

“It’s a terrific service for vets,” according to Mike Dreiling, adjutant treasurer of the Disabled American Veterans Fort Hays Chapter 18. One van drives directly from Hays to Wichita; the other picks up veterans in several area towns and along the route to Wichita.

On Thursday, Rick Kennedy, volunteer director at Wichita’s Robert J. Dole Regional VA Hospital, will be in Hays for a special ceremony to thank the Werths for the donation.

Following that, Kennedy will host a meeting addressing the benefits of being a volunteer and helping veterans.

“Right now, we really need more volunteer drivers for our vans,” Dreiling said.

Darrell Loreg, senior vice president of Fort Hays DAV, is a longtime volunteer driver. It’s often a 12-hour day for the retiree — and he loves it.

“Some of these guys will even give me a hug when we get back to Hays,” Loreg said. “They’re so grateful for the ride.  It’s a free service.  Without it, what would they do?”

To be a volunteer driver, you must pass a physical and have a standard driver’s license.

The volunteer recruiting meeting starts at 5 p.m. tomorrow at LINK, 2401 E. 13th.

For more information, call Dreiling at (785)-735-7117.