Remembering Our Veterans: A Woman Honors America’s Legacy

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Patricia Kowalski. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Patricia Kowalski has volunteered at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital for over a decade. The hospital specializes in curating a haven for veterans of all backgrounds. Its goal is to hire and train highly experienced staff and be guided by the needs of veterans, their families and caregivers.

Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital is a second-generation veteran’s hospital in Hines, Illinois, not too far from Chicago. It has treated more than 56,000 veterans from World War II through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Patricia started volunteering at the hospital because of her family’s military service. Her father served in World War II, and her husband served in Vietnam from 1964 to 1968. Patricia has made it her life’s mission to remind veterans of their legacy and to give them something to live for.

Patricia takes great pride in volunteering at the hospital and being the spokeswoman for the hospital’s veterans. She works collaboratively to advance best practices throughout the hospital for veterans and to fight for their rights. Not only is Patricia hands-on, but she has also used her position to secure tens of thousands of donations.

More than ten years after she started volunteering, Patricia continues to make a difference.

What inspires you to volunteer?

Seeing the smiles on these veterans’ faces is genuinely the best feeling in the world. They give you such a smile, and it’s heartwarming to know you’re uplifting them.

To me, after fighting for their country and giving us our freedom, we can do so much more to say “thank you.” They cared for our country, and we should be proud of them and take care of them.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital.

I’ve been volunteering here for 14 years now. I am the state representative for the American Legion Auxiliary Department of the Illinois hospital here. I deal with all of the American Legion Auxiliary chapters throughout Illinois, with responsibilities such as bringing in donations. I log donations and do reports. We go out on the floor three times a month and distribute supplies to all veterans because many vets come in and need clothing, so we provide them with sweatsuits, toiletries they need, t-shirts and more.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part of my work is the number of veterans who turn around and say thank you for your service. It’s a fantastic feeling to see the smiles on their faces and to be able to help them with whatever they need, especially within the food pantry, giving them extra supplies, like laundry detergent, everything that they can use. They always say, “Hey, what can I do for you?” I always say, “Nothing. I’m here for you.”

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Two things: Be a good listener and be willing to help. I’m there for them if I’m in the room and they need assistance. It just makes me happy and sad at the same time.

Many can’t use their hands to cover numbers during bingo, so we’re there to help them and give them a nudge. I’m there to help them, and everyone should be.

I just wish people would care a little more for them. Look at what they went through. As Americans, we all need to learn to care more here in the United States. We must show each other the importance of caring and the significant impact on one’s well-being, especially our veterans.

Why should others get involved with causes they care about?

People need to be self-aware and get involved. They should know what these men have gone through and care. We need more Americans coming in and saying, “Hey, we’re here for you. We’re fighting for you. We will help you.”

What do you want people to learn from your story?

There is so much to do, to care for, and to show that I can’t control what our men and women go through and what they have sacrificed for us and the country. We must find more people willing to learn how to care for veterans. Showing our gratitude goes a long way, and it significantly impacts their well-being.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Patricia? Find local volunteer opportunities.