Sarasota News Leader
April 12, 2013
Page 55
2013 VETERANS 'STAND DOWN' EVENT PLANNED FOR APRIL 20
The 2013 Veterans Stand Down event will take Mart Pharmacy's Community Awareness Replace from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, sources & Education Services Mobile Unit.
Sarasota County has announced.
Veterans should bring their ID (VA card or DDRegistration for the event and most of the 214 form), if available.
services for veterans will be available at the "Because of the significant interest in hairSarasota County Health and Human Services cuts last year, there will be a team of barbers,
(Health Department) building, 2200 Ringling hair stylists and nail technicians from ManaBlvd., Sarasota. Other services will be offered tee Technical Institute on hand," the release
at the Payne Park Auditorium, a short walk notes. Non-perishable food items, personal
care items and VA surplus items such as blanaway, a news release says.
kets also will be provided. The Salvation Army
There is no cost to those who attend. Event will offer food and refreshments.
organizers say the Stand Down "is a way for
veterans not connected to the system to read- "Veterans are an essential part of our comily access available services in a one-stop set- munity. Unfortunately, the transition from
active duty to everyday civilian life can be
ting," the release adds.
overwhelming," said Chip Taylor, director of
Veterans who attend the Stand Down will be the Operation Military Assistance Program
able to get help in accessing VA benefits and (OMAP), a federally funded program initiatservices. Housing assistance also will be avail- ed by Jewish Family & Children's Service of
able for homeless veterans, the release notes. Sarasota-Manatee Inc. to assist veterans with
obtaining or maintaining permanent housing,
Additionally, local organizations will have rep- in the release. "The City of Sarasota will be
resentatives on hand to provide referrals for a partnering organization this year, meaning
mental health and substance abuse treatment; that we will have participation from all levels
and legal services and employment assistance of government — federal, state, county and
services will be available, along with free city — as well as the nonprofit sector," he addhealth screenings, at mobile medical units ac- ed in the release. "This will help ensure that
cessible in the nearby parking lot, the release homeless veterans know about all the benefits
continues. The latter will include the Sarasota and services they may be qualified to receive."
County Health Department's Health In Motion For more information, visit http://www.jfcsMobile Medical Unit and the Hedges Health cares.org/ or call 366-2224. %
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