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GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A group of honors students taking a leadership development class is turning classroom lessons into real-world impact by launching a new initiative aimed at supporting local veterans and strengthening community connections.
Students in the Leadership Development course partnered with UNC Health Wayne and the Goldsboro Mayor’s Youth Council to create UNC Health V.E.T.S. (Volunteer Service Through Excellence) — a new program designed to attract veterans to volunteer at the hospital while honoring their service and expanding veteran representation in the community.
The initiative focuses on three primary goals:
- Attracting veterans to volunteer at the hospital
- Supporting and honoring those who have served
- Increasing veteran representation across the community through service
Students say the project grew from a shared desire to create something meaningful that would have a lasting impact beyond the classroom. Their mission is to bring veterans and volunteers together to serve, connect, and support one another.
Organizers say encouraging veterans to volunteer at the hospital helps foster a stronger sense of community while creating opportunities for connection among those who share similar experiences. The program also aims to ensure that veterans and their families feel supported and valued.
Students involved in the initiative say they were inspired by the sacrifices made by veterans and wanted to create a project that honors their stories while offering opportunities for engagement and service.
Community members who are veterans — or who know someone who has served — are encouraged to get involved and help spread the word about the new program. Organizers hope UNC Health V.E.T.S. will continue to grow and become a meaningful source of connection and support for veterans across the region.
