David's Drive 831 (DD831), a nonprofit charity created to help veterans, was the recipient of the 2021 American Spirit Award presented by the Veterans Health Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Jennifer Lilly, chief of voluntary service for the Coatesville VA Medical Center, nominated DD831 for the work it does to improve the lives of veterans, including those who reside at the center and others who live in the community. There were 70 nominees total nationwide.

DD831 is named for David Turner Jr., who was employed at the VA Medical Center when he passed away at the age of 20 in December 2009. His family members started the all-volunteer DD831 charity to benefit veterans by providing much-needed goods and services. The 831 symbolizes the phrase "I love you," because the phrase contains eight letters in three words that have one meaning.

Among its many efforts, DD831 collects underwear and socks for veterans, provides holiday gifts for veterans at its annual gift-wrapping event and donates beds and other supplies to previously homeless veterans who are moving into transitional housing. Veterans have also enjoyed fishing outings and a trip to see an Eagles preseason game through the efforts of DD831 volunteers.

David Turner Sr., founder and president of David's Drive, reported that the national award came as a complete surprise. He learned about the honor during a reception held on May 22 at the VA. "Jennifer told me that we had a meeting with Jeff Beiler, the (Coatesville VA) director," he shared, noting he was accompanied to the meeting by his wife, Joy. "We went in, and it was not a meeting for the director; it was an announcement that we had won the award."

At the reception, there were photos on display of various DD831 events at the VA as well as a congratulatory banner, and the area was decorated with balloons. "A few people spoke about what David's Drive means to their departments (at the VA)," David Sr. added.

Later, the Turners took part in a virtual awards ceremony, where they were featured in a segment that they prerecorded.

The Turners accepted the award on behalf of DD831 board members, committee members and the community, which supports the charity's mission through donations and monetary gifts. "Receiving an award like this is prestigious, but it validates (why people support us)," David Sr. said. "The money that people give goes toward things that make a difference."

On the same day as the reception, DD831 volunteers and Coatesville VA administrative staff dedicated a children's playset at the VA to be used by visiting families. The equipment was originally installed in September of 2019, but it was closed in 2020 because of the pandemic. At the dedication, a new sign was unveiled, which was donated by Goshen Signs in West Chester.

In addition to offering safety rules, the sign reads, "In Memory of David Turner Jr., Play All Day." "When our children were young, we would ask them, 'What do you want to do today?' Their answer was always, 'Play all day,'" said David Sr. "We thought that was an appropriate name for this playground."

For more information about DD831, visit http://www.davidsdrive831.org or http://www.facebook.com/davids.drive.