Help veterans with donations for Stand Down
Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, disabled, homeless or unemployed are the focus of the Stand Down for Veterans, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 8 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 9 at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin.
"We will have something for every veteran in need," said John Blanchard, executive director of National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corp., the sponsor of the event. He added that the organization is expecting to provide services to 100 veterans.
"The community stands ready to help those who gave so much for all of us."
Services will include medical screenings and information about other Veterans Administration services by North Chicago VA Medical Center; employment services by Jeff Johnson, Andrew Michnowski and Reynaldo Infante of Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS)/Department of Labor through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES); referrals for housing assistance and other services by Mike Iwanicki and Cheryl Kirsch of the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission and John Carr of the Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission; legal counseling by attorney Jeffrey Antonelli and Prairie State Legal Services; referrals for dental services by local dentists and the Illinois Foundation for Dentistry for the Handicapped; and referrals for eye care services by Northwest Eye Care of Algonquin.
The Lions Foundation of Illinois will provide a hearing van to test veterans' hearing from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 8. Phyllis Taylor Smith of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will verify military status and eligibility for services.
Veterans will be able to register for medical care at North Chicago VA Medical Center and Hines VA Medical Center at the Stand Down.
Veterans service officers Ted and Lisa Biever from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Richard Lesniewicz of the American Legion, and representatives of AMVETS, the VFW and various other veterans organizations will assist veterans in applying for VA disability claims and other VA benefits, state health insurance and DD-214s.
Information about community services for homeless and low-income individuals will be provided by Susan Giannone, the constituent services advocate from Rep. Melissa Bean's office. Scott Ottesen of The Vet Center will meet with veterans and distribute information about the organization's services.
NASA Education will accept applications for participation in Project Fresh Start, its comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration program for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition. NASA Education also will accept applications for its new 32-bed transitional housing facility for homeless veterans. Local employers Liberating Solutions and Vet-Tek will be on-site to offer employment opportunities.
"The veterans aren't looking for charity, and the help we're giving them should not be interpreted as charity," Blanchard said.
"They want a job. A place to live. A means of paying their bills. The same things all of us want and need. They deserve these things."
Veterans also will receive a number of amenities at the Stand Down, including free haircuts by SportClips Haircuts and Chazio's Salon, and chair massages by Sheryl Roberts of Changing Lifestyles. Meals and the use of shower facilities will be provided on both days, and overnight shelter will be provided Oct. 8.
Individuals and organizations from the community have donated new and gently used clothing and shoes, new underwear and socks, and toiletries. Eli Lilly has donated toiletry kits.
NASA Education will have a volunteer/service provider orientation meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at NASA Education, 3305 South Route 31, Crystal Lake, for those who would like to help set up the site on Sunday, work the event itself on Oct. 8 and 9 and clean up on the afternoon of Oct. 9.
Partial funding for the Stand Down has been provided through grants from the Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS)/U.S. Department of Labor, and the HelpAmerica Foundation.
Donations are still needed in the form of cash, new and gently used clothes for men and women; baked goods or other desserts; toiletries; fast-food gift certificates in small denominations; and gift cards from supermarkets.
Transportation will be provided to the Stand Down for the veterans from various pick-up points throughout the community.
Call NASA Education at (866) 338-4968 toll-free for more information about the Stand Down, pickup points, volunteering and making donations. Or, send an e-mail to Kathy Chwedyk at kathy_chwedyk@nasa education.org. The NASA Education Web site is www.nasaeducation.org.
NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.