Santa Barbara County is coming together once again to honor
and support our veterans! On Saturday,
October 25, 2025, the 13th annual Veterans Stand Down will take place at the Santa Maria Fairpark from 9:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This free, one-day event is made possible by organizations
from across the county, including DSS, working side by side to give back to
those who have served. Veterans attending will receive be served a pancake
breakfast, SM style BBQ lunch, new clothing, and personal care services like
health screenings and haircuts. In addition, on the spot services will be
available to connect veterans with essentials such as food, shelter,
counseling, and more.
The event is free of
charge, but pre-registration is highly
recommended. A free shuttle service will also be provided to and from
designated locations throughout the county.
Help Spread the Word and Support Veterans Stand Down
DSS plays a key role in getting the word out about Veterans Stand Down, especially since
so many local veterans are already benefiting from our programs. With the event
just around the corner, every DSS lobby now has Stand Down posters on display
and printed applications available. Please share the application with any clients who happen to identify themselves
as veterans. If you need an extra copy, you can also access the
registration form online here.
There are also easy ways for all of us to contribute! In
addition to helping veterans sign up, anybody can support Stand Down by donating certain items. This year,
donating is more convenient than ever, thanks to a Walmart Registry created specifically for the event. When you shop
through the registry, items are shipped directly to the donation site address
automatically. Click
here to browse the registry and help make a difference.
A Community Effort
Thanks to the leadership of Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, and the collaboration
of countless community partners, this year marks the 13th annual Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down. For over a
decade, this event has provided local veterans with essentials like clothes,
boots, and haircuts, as well as connections to community resources that support
stability and self-sufficiency. For many, Stand Down has been a steppingstone
toward employment and greater independence.
As part of this tradition, DSS staff will once again be on hand to share information about
our programs, accept applications, and even help distribute items to veterans
throughout the day.
This year’s Stand Down will feature a wide range of free services for all veterans including:
- Hot
meals
- Live entertainment
- Health,
dental, vision, and behavioral health screenings and referrals
- Showers,
haircuts, clothing, shoes, care packages, and gift cards
- Pet
services, including checkups, grooming, and microchipping
- Consultations
and referrals from public and private agencies
- Employment
resources and job seeker services
- Free
shuttle buses from designated sites across the county
Together, these services create more than just a single day of support, they represent the community’s ongoing commitment to uplifting our veterans.