| May 13th, 2010 Monthly Board Meeting |
| August 14th, 2010 W.A.R.M. Pancake Breakfast |
| 11th Annual Homeless Veterans Stand-Down | |||||||
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Please join us on Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2573, located at 2722 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC for our 11th Annual Homeless Veterans Stand-Down. Our success depends on your participation and donations. The Stand-Down will run from 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM. WHAT IS A STAND-DOWN? The original Stand-Down for homeless veterans was modeled after the Stand-Down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. At secure base camp areas, troops were able to take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment. Stand-Downs afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being. __________________________________________ HOMELESS STAND-DOWNS Homeless Stand-Downs are one part of the ongoing effort to provide services to homeless veterans. Stand-Downs are typically one to three day events providing services to homeless veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment. Stand-Downs are collaborative events.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY STAND-DOWNS In 1999, Mr. Tommy Townsend, a World War II Veteran and a retired New Hanover County School Teacher, organized the first Stand-Down in New Hanover County. Working through the Veterans Council, members of which represent all the area Veterans’ Organizations, Tommy began what has become a very successful annual event. To date, through in-kind services of the VA and many local community agencies and businesses, as well as monetary donations from military veterans and other concerned citizens, the program has provided over 6000 meals to the homeless and hundreds of other services. Although created to serve and assist homeless veterans in overcoming hardships, the war veterans and widows who donate their time and money to this cause care not that opening the doors to homeless vets invites all homeless to seek assistance, not just the military veteran. We will not turn away a homeless person simply because they are not a veteran. The New Hanover County veterans and other citizens who donate so much to this cause believe any good deed, be it to a homeless veteran or otherwise, is truly worthwhile and a story of success. CARE-BAGS Along with two hot meals, health care needs, veterans access to VA services, haircuts, hygiene and mental health counseling, entertainment, clothing, immunizations, information about New Hanover homeless shelters and homeless programs designed to help the individual overcome their situation and find adequate and affordable housing, it has been a tradition to end the Stand-Down by giving each participant a Care-Bag. The Care-Bags are filled with items donated by area organizations and businesses. Volunteers prepare the Care-Bags the day before the Stand-Down. Items usually found in the Car-Bags include; writing pads, pens, pencils, T-shirts and underwear, gift cards, hats, plastic cups, bottled water, canned foods, snacks, candy and so on. If you are not able to participate in this heart-warming event, perhaps you or your group can provide items for the Care-Bags. We are always open to new ideas, and we appreciate cash donation. HOW CAN I HELP? We do need a little help with our Stand-Down. If you or your group have time to help set up and take down the tables, booths etc. or help us clean up after the event, we will be grateful. We also need items for the Care-Bags as well as volunteers to help us prepare the bags on the day prior to the event. On the day of the event, volunteer van drivers will pick-up the homeless at designated locations and any other reasonable location. Please call us if you have a pick-up need. Pick-ups will normally be in the early morning between 5:45-7:00 AM. There will be return transportation in the early afternoon. If your group provides a service to the community that would help the homeless, we would like to have you set up a booth at the event. We are also in need of donations, primarily for Care-Bag items, incidentals and catering the meals. Thank you.
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