Volunteer Statistics
The dedication of our volunteers allows vital City services to remain vibrant and intact.
Volunteer Office
The continued success of the volunteer program can be attributed to strong advocacy of volunteerism from leadership, talented Volunteer Resource Managers and the thousands of residents that dedicate their time to our organization. The quality of life here in Virginia Beach is second to none and much of that is thanks to the excellent services provided by our volunteers.
Volunteer Service for FY 2022-23
Total Volunteers & Hours
11,196 Volunteers
797,706 Hours
Total FTE Value
383.51 Full-Time Employee Equivalent
Total Volunteer Hours Value
$25M Value
($25,367,039)
Total Volunteer Hours Value
3.79 Cents/$100
of assessed value real estate tax rate savings
Economic Development
Virginia Beach GrowSmart: During the 2022-2023 school year, 76 First Grade READS volunteers, worked across six elementary schools in Virginia Beach to give their time and expertise to assist children become confident and successful readers. By pairing striving first grade readers with caring community volunteer tutors/mentors, the program assists children in becoming confident, successful readers.
Housing Resource Center
Jennifer Vaughan, a volunteer at the Virginia Beach Housing Resource Center (HRC), received the 2023 Wayne McCoy Spirit of Virginia Beach award by the Virginia Beach Rotary Club for her exceptional volunteerism. Nominated by the Office of Volunteer Resources and Resiliency for her work at the HRC, she is the backbone of the volunteer program there, having contributed more than 3,000 hours of service since the building opened in 2018.
Libraries
During the summer of 2023, Hailey and Linda spent their days engaging youth ages 12 and younger in the Virginia Beach Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge. The program encourages children to read and engage in enriching activities during the school break. Volunteers help by passing out badges and prizes as participants achieve milestones! Thank you, Hailey and Linda, for helping youth find the love of books.
Parks & Recreation
In April 2023, Myazia Fox and the MYLA Class of 2023 were awarded the Debra L. Elam award. Named in memory of Debra, a young gymnast who spent many hours serving in our community, this award honors youth who have embodied the model the City of Virginia Beach values and exhibits excellence in service to the community, many of the characteristics that Debra did. The honorees are nominated by a volunteer manager or supervisor and are selected by an independent committee.
Boards & Commissions
VBCPS Environmental Studies Program Coordinator Chris Freeman offered his thoughts about best practices for creating a successful experience when students are appointed to one of the City’s boards and commissions.
Twelve of the 14 student appointees who served on boards during 2022/23 were students of Mr. Freeman, and he compiled his tips based on feedback he gathered from their experiences.
Volunteer Resources
The Office of Volunteer Resources is extremely thankful to David Dzwonkoski, for his years of volunteer service in establishing and growing Volunteer Resources’ social media presence. It has been a joy and pleasure to know we have your support. Thank you for your service and we are forever grateful for your time and commitment.
Volunteer Data by Department
Department
Hours
Hours Value
Hours FTE
Volunteer Count
Department
Agriculture
Hours
55,003.20
Hours Value
$1,749,101.76
Hours FTE
26.44
Volunteer Count
762
Department
Budget & Management Services
Hours
8.75
Hours Value
$278.25
Hours FTE
-
Volunteer Count
7
Department
City Attorney
Hours
20.25
Hours Value
$13,363.95
Hours FTE
0.2
Volunteer Count
2
Department
City Auditor
Hours
10
Hours Value
$318.00
Hours FTE
-
Volunteer Count
3
Department
City Clerk
Hours
19.50
Hours Value
$620.10
Hours FTE
0.01
Volunteer Count
1
Department
City Manager
Hours
1,093.50
Hours Value
$34,773.30
Hours FTE
0.53
Volunteer Count
28
Department
Commonwealth Attorney
Hours
2,534.38
Hours Value
$80,593.39
Hours FTE
1.22
Volunteer Count
14
Department
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Hours
345
Hours Value
$10,971.00
Hours FTE
0.17
Volunteer Count
6
Department
Courts
Hours
6,387
Hours Value
$203,106.60
Hours FTE
3.07
Volunteer Count
85
Department
Cultural Affairs
Hours
14,991
Hours Value
$476,713.80
Hours FTE
7.21
Volunteer Count
136
Department
Economic Development
Hours
2,386.50
Hours Value
$75,890.70
Hours FTE
1.15
Volunteer Count
256
Department
Emergency Communications and Citizen Services
Hours
153.53
Hours Value
$4,882.36
Hours FTE
0.07
Volunteer Count
2
Department
Emergency Management
Hours
222.08
Hours Value
$7,062.25
Hours FTE
0.11
Volunteer Count
26
Department
Emergency Medical Services
Hours
299,480.00
Hours Value
$9,523,464.00
Hours FTE
143.98
Volunteer Count
1,101
Department
Finance
Hours
781.5
Hours Value
$24,851.70
Hours FTE
0.38
Volunteer Count
15
Department
Fire
Hours
10,261.75
Hours Value
$326,323.65
Hours FTE
4.93
Volunteer Count
76
Department
History Museums
Hours
796.25
Hours Value
$25,320.75
Hours FTE
0.38
Volunteer Count
14
Department
Housing and Neighborhood Preservation
Hours
2,748.62
Hours Value
$87,406.01
Hours FTE
1.32
Volunteer Count
136
Department
Human Resources
Hours
966.5
Hours Value
$30,734.70
Hours FTE
0.46
Volunteer Count
28
Department
Human Services
Hours
6,359.45
Hours Value
$202,230.51
Hours FTE
3.06
Volunteer Count
201
Department
Libraries
Hours
11,601.72
Hours Value
$368,934.59
Hours FTE
5.58
Volunteer Count
492
Department
Parks and Recreation
Hours
69,336.42
Hours Value
$2,204,898.05
Hours FTE
33.33
Volunteer Count
5,035
Department
Performance and Accountability
Hours
72.25
Hours Value
$2,297.55
Hours FTE
0.03
Volunteer Count
9
Department
Planning and Community Development
Hours
4,424.53
Hours Value
$140,700.16
Hours FTE
2.13
Volunteer Count
152
Department
Police
Hours
58,939.72
Hours Value
$1,874,282.99
Hours FTE
28.34
Volunteer Count
384
Department
Public Health
Hours
4,282.22
Hours Value
$136,174.49
Hours FTE
2.06
Volunteer Count
261
Department
Public Utilities
Hours
135
Hours Value
$4,293.00
Hours FTE
0.06
Volunteer Count
16
Department
Public Works
Hours
1,367.43
Hours Value
$43,484.38
Hours FTE
0.66
Volunteer Count
582
Department
Sheriff's Office
Hours
201,124.15
Hours Value
$6,395,747.97
Hours FTE
96.69
Volunteer Count
566
Department
Virginia Aquarium
Hours
41,400.17
Hours Value
$1,316,525.30
Hours FTE
19.9
Volunteer Count
969
Police Department
Police chaplains understand the role of a police officer and help build bridges between the police and the community. They provide confidential support in several key areas of law enforcement and the communities they serve. These areas include, but are not limited to, officer wellness and support, spiritual support, and community-police engagement. Police chaplains come from various faith backgrounds and do not impose their belief system upon others. Rather, they listen and help people articulate their own meaning and beliefs and resources during times of crisis.
Aquarium/Mounted Patrol
Ennis Johnson is a current part-time employee and volunteer. Ennis worked full time for the City from 1963-1976 before moving to the private sector. He returned to the City in 2009 as a volunteer diver at the Virginia Aquarium. In 2013, Ennis began working part-time for the aquarium and received his second 10-year pin in July 2023. He continues to volunteer at the aquarium and also volunteers at the Virginia Beach Mounted Patrol Barn, taking care of the horses. He has been a volunteer more than 14 years with over 11,517 hours of volunteer service.
Emergency Management
Members of VBCERT (Virginia Beach Community Emergency Response Team) geared up for their first disaster deployment since Hurricane Matthew in May 2023 after an EF-3 level tornado touched down in the northern part of Virginia Beach.
VBCERT was able to support and assist City staff by going door-to-door ensuring residents received pertinent recovery messaging from the City of Virginia Beach, obtaining important damage statistics for emergency management reporting, and helping to “check-in” on affected residents.
Emergency Medical Services
In September 2023, Robert ‘Bobby’ Hill received a 50-year milestone award for his service and compassion he has offered through Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services. Bobby joined VB Rescue with the Davis Corner Volunteer Rescue Squad in 1968 and later transferred to the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, where he held a variety of leadership positions and became a Life Member. Bobby served as an operational provider until 2015 when he transitioned to supporting VB Rescue as an administrative volunteer.
Medical Reserve Corps
The Virginia Beach Medical Reserve Corps (VBMRC) received the 2023 Governor’s Award for Outstanding Community Organization in November 2023. Comprised of medical and public health professionals, and non-medical community members, the VBMRC shares skills, expertise and time to support public health initiatives and respond to health emergencies throughout Virginia Beach. Between July 2022 and June 2023, 254 VBMRC volunteers contributed a total of 4,477 service hours during 321 different events, from vaccine clinics to back-to-school events to offer children physicals/vaccines for the upcoming school year.