BUTLER TWP — VA Butler Healthcare on Friday will honor its volunteers and announce its Volunteer of the Year.

The VA’s third annual Making Lives Better Volunteer of the Year Program has six volunteers up for the top award.

Three men and three women are nominated: Chuck Jennings of Butler, John Morgan of Cranberry Township, Danny Turner of Butler, Donna Croft of Butler, June Gregg of Butler and Linda Trimpey of Renfrew.

Together, the volunteers have contributed more than 12,492 hours of service in 29 years, the VA said in a news release.

VA director David Cord called the event an important recognition for the men and women who help care for the more than 19,000 veterans who VA Butler services.

“The volunteers who were nominated for the Volunteer of the Year were nominated by their peers and VA staff who recognized their services and the impact they have on improving the lives of veterans,” Cord said.

Last year, 346 volunteers contributed 38,808 hours of service to the VA. Volunteers and veteran service organizations contributed more than $156,000 in donations to support veterans programs at the VA, for a total of $1 million in supportive services.

Those services include everything from greeters at the VA’s outpatient clinics to volunteer drivers who help get veterans to their appointments.

In 2015, VA Butler had more than 20 volunteer greeters and 45 volunteer drivers who provided 12,709 hours of service.

“All of our volunteers are extraordinary and provide a variety of services that greatly impact the care veterans receive at VA Butler,” Cord said.

The VA has volunteer assignments open for drivers, clerical, greeters and the My HealtheVet program.

Applications are also being accepted for the Summer Youth Volunteer Program. Youths must be 14 to 17 years old to apply. Applications can be obtained from VA Butler’s website at www.butler.va.gov/giving or by contacting the Voluntary Services Office at 800-362-8262, Ext. 2575.

Deadline to register for the summer program is April 20.

Individuals may also support the Voluntary Services program with donations of personal care items that are used for inpatients, some outpatient programs and the Homeless Veterans Program. A wish-list of requested items is maintained in Voluntary Services and can be provided upon request.

For information about volunteering at VA Butler, contact its Voluntary Services Office at 800-362-8262, Ext. 2575, or visit www.butler.va.gov/giving.