by Dennis Tivey, Communication and Outreach Coordinator
The 2019 Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down is coming October 19! Over 100 organizations from all over the county, including DSS, come together to serve veterans (homeless or not) at this free annual one-day event. Veterans can get a hot meal, warm clothes, on-the-spot services from health screenings to haircuts; and referrals for help with food, shelter, jobs, counseling and more. Donations of new items will also be accepted throughout September and the first half of October.
Please read on for details about Stand Down, a printable flyer/application to give to your clients who are veterans, and ways to get involved!
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When and Where:
Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down 2019 is happening Saturday, October 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Santa Maria Fairpark. There’s no charge to attend, but pre-registration is required. Free shuttle buses to the event and back will be available from locations all over the county. More information is available at www.sbcountystanddown.com.Tell your clients!
DSS plays a crucial role in publicizing Veterans Stand Down, since many veterans use DSS services. Please feel free to print this flyer/application and share it with your clients who are veterans of the U.S. military. You’ll also see Stand Down posters and flyer/applications in the lobby. (If you’d like a large poster to post in your part of the building, you can request one from Carolina Carrillo.)Donate items!
Everyone at DSS can also play a role by donating clothing, toiletries, and other items for veterans. You can drop off donations in the designated box in the break room. Or—new this year—you can pick and donate items online, through our special Walmart registry. For a list of items needed, and instructions on how to use the registry, see this printable Donation Drive flyer and/or this Intercom Donation Drive article.Promote Stand Down
Want to promote Stand Down on your personal social media account? It's easy. Type or paste a message like this: “Veterans Stand Down is a one-stop event for vets countywide to get the help they need. Info & registration: www.sbcountystanddown.com”. If you'd like to post a photo to go with it, you can download the photo from the flyer here.A community tradition
This is the eighth year for the local Veterans Stand Down event, established with the leadership of Santa Barbara County Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino. “Stand Down is a great opportunity to display our commitment to our local veterans,” Lavagnino observed, “and a great way for veterans to jump-start their lives after returning home.”Armed with new clothes and boots, a haircut, and community services, homeless veterans can leave Stand Down in a better position to secure paid work and attain self-sufficiency. That’s one reason DSS leaders have worked behind the scenes to make Stand Down happen every year.
What’s offered:
Stand Down offers services for all veterans (men and women, homeless or not) including:- Free hot meals
- Live entertainment, including a kids’ zone
- Health, dental, vision, podiatry, and behavioral health screenings and referrals
- Showers, haircuts, clothes, shoes, care packages, gift cards, mending
- Pet services, including checkups, grooming and microchipping
- Public and private agencies offering consultations, services or referrals
- Employers and job seeker services
- Women’s services including health screenings, hairstyling and massage
- Free shuttle buses to the event and back, from sites countywide
- Treatment court on-site to clear up minor infractions and misdemeanors