Volunteer Statistics
The dedication of our volunteers allows vital City services to remain vibrant and intact.
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 2024
Total Volunteers & Hours
10,156 Volunteers
840,295 Hours
Total FTE Value
403.99 Full-Time Employee Equivalent
Total Volunteer Hours Value
$28.1M Value
($28,141,478.55)
Total Volunteer Hours Value
3.83 Cents/$100
of assessed value real estate tax rate savings
Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center
Jean Deliz, a volunteer at the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center (VBACAC), received the 2024 Wayne McCoy Spirit of Virginia Beach award by the Virginia Beach Rotary Club. Jean has served as the adult volunteer coordinator at the VBACAC for more than 18 years, contributing more than 18,000 hours of service.
Police: Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center
The Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center engages volunteers every day in various facets. From dog walkers to vet suite aides, behavioral support and enrichment, to cleaning, laundry, and play groups, volunteers are a vital part of the center.
Human Services
The Virginia Beach Early Intervention Infant Program, geared toward children with developmental delays, atypical behaviors or a disabling condition that is likely to result in a delay, works with parents and caregivers to ensure the success of every child.
In 2024, the volunteers and staff increased the duration of classes from 8 weeks to 12 weeks. Children and parents have been able to take away more skills and experience through the help of volunteers.
Parks & Recreation: Clean the Bay Day
Clean the Bay Day is the largest episodic volunteer program in Virginia Beach. This event brings together volunteers from all backgrounds to clean up local waterways and beaches. Annually, more than 1,000 volunteers participate in this program, cleaning up multiple sites. The Stewardship team also partners with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to make this event a success.
Agriculture
Over the past fiscal year from July 2023 to June 2024, the Virginia Beach Farmers Market Fun on the Farm field trips at the Rural Heritage Center, managed by volunteers, hosted 3,316 children from 72 public and private schools, church groups, homeschools and other children’s programs.
Mayor's Youth Leaders in Action
The Mayor’s Youth Leaders in Action (MYLA) was awarded three times for the amazing work provided by the group across the city. MYLA was awarded the Best Youth Group by Volunteer Hampton Roads; received the Debra L. Elam Youth Award in the group category; and listed in Governor Youngkin’s Volunteer Honor Roll distributed by Serve Virginia.
Library
Princess Anne High School junior Jordan Yeager was named the 2024 Debra Elam Outstanding Youth Volunteer for her work at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library. As a volunteer, Jordan regularly provides feedback on service offerings for teen programs and assists with public displays the library should offer. They also help staff manage activity stations to help participant interaction.
Housing & Neighborhood Development
Volunteers at the Housing Resource Center allow output of services to the unhoused to be doubled. Not only do HRC volunteers share information about available resources, but they also dispel myths about homelessness and speak truth to the integrity of the homeless services system, rental housing and code enforcement.
The onsite presence of people who give their time in meaningful ways out of the goodness of their hearts is invaluable!
Volunteer Data by Department
Department
Hours
Hours Value
Hours FTE
Volunteer Count
Department
Agriculture
Hours
58,342.25
Hours Value
$1,953,881.95
Hours FTE
28.05
Volunteer Count
1,115
Department
Budget and Management Services
Hours
142.80
Hours Value
$4,782.37
Hours FTE
0.07
Volunteer Count
31
Department
City Attorney
Hours
123
Hours Value
$4,119.27
Hours FTE
0.06
Volunteer Count
1
Department
City Auditor
Hours
36.55
Hours Value
$1,224.06
Hours FTE
0.02
Volunteer Count
4
Department
City Manager
Hours
1,451.50
Hours Value
$48,610.74
Hours FTE
0.70
Volunteer Count
50
Department
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Hours
2,057.75
Hours Value
$68,914.05
Hours FTE
0.99
Volunteer Count
17
Department
Communications
Hours
5
Hours Value
$167.45
Hours FTE
0.20
Volunteer Count
1
Department
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Hours
402.98
Hours Value
$13,495.80
Hours FTE
0.19
Volunteer Count
27
Department
Courts
Hours
10,079.75
Hours Value
$337,570.83
Hours FTE
4.85
Volunteer Count
91
Department
Cultural Affairs
Hours
18,366.47
Hours Value
$615,093.08
Hours FTE
8.83
Volunteer Count
159
Department
Economic Development
Hours
2,710.67
Hours Value
$90,780.34
Hours FTE
1.30
Volunteer Count
375
Department
Emergency Communications and Citizen Services
Hours
119.90
Hours Value
$4,015.45
Hours FTE
0.06
Volunteer Count
4
Department
Emergency Management
Hours
203.50
Hours Value
$6,815.22
Hours FTE
0.10
Volunteer Count
23
Department
Emergency Medical Services
Hours
266,760
Hours Value
$8,933,792.40
Hours FTE
128.25
Volunteer Count
1,132
Department
Finance
Hours
1,005
Hours Value
$33,657.45
Hours FTE
0.48
Volunteer Count
17
Department
Fire
Hours
12,314.50
Hours Value
$412,412.61
Hours FTE
5.92
Volunteer Count
74
Department
History Museums
Hours
518
Hours Value
$17,347.82
Hours FTE
0.25
Volunteer Count
14
Department
Housing and Neighborhood Preservation
Hours
3,761.62
Hours Value
$125,976.65
Hours FTE
1.81
Volunteer Count
152
Department
Human Resources
Hours
1,387.75
Hours Value
$46,475.75
Hours FTE
0.67
Volunteer Count
32
Department
Human Services
Hours
5,892.87
Hours Value
$197,352.22
Hours FTE
2.83
Volunteer Count
166
Department
Libraries
Hours
13,051.25
Hours Value
$437,086.36
Hours FTE
6.27
Volunteer Count
515
Department
Parks and Recreation
Hours
91,477.27
Hours Value
$3,063,573.77
Hours FTE
43.98
Volunteer Count
3,497
Department
Performance and Accountability
Hours
59.75
Hours Value
$2,001.03
Hours FTE
0.03
Volunteer Count
12
Department
Planning and Community Development
Hours
2,359.72
Hours Value
$79,027.02
Hours FTE
1.13
Volunteer Count
158
Department
Police
Hours
52,906.08
Hours Value
$1,771,824.62
Hours FTE
25.44
Volunteer Count
344
Department
Public Health
Hours
1,686
Hours Value
$56,464.14
Hours FTE
0.81
Volunteer Count
136
Department
Public Utilities
Hours
146
Hours Value
$4,889.54
Hours FTE
0.07
Volunteer Count
15
Department
Public Works
Hours
2,278.52
Hours Value
$76,307.63
Hours FTE
1.10
Volunteer Count
627
Department
Sheriff
Hours
239,466
Hours Value
$8,019,716.34
Hours FTE
115.13
Volunteer Count
561
Department
Virginia Aquarium
Hours
51,182.53
Hours Value
$1,714,102.93
Hours FTE
24.61
Volunteer Count
1,014
In Honor of Tom
Starting in 1981, Tom Orlowski served as a Holiday Project volunteer for 41 years for the Department of Human Services. Each holiday season, Tom could be found walking through the halls with a cart full of toys, cheerily delivering gifts to foster care children with a big smile and a kind word. He was extremely proud of his 40-year service pin and upset when he lost it. Of course, it was replaced.
In 2022, Tom had to retire due to health issues and unfortunately passed in June 2023. On display at his funeral service were his Christmas suspenders with the 40-year pin attached. In going through boxes this holiday season, staff saw Tom’s lost 40-year pin — a beautiful reminder of the spirit and value of volunteerism.
