Local veterans experiencing trouble with housing are invited to an event coming up later this week.
Stand Down Butler County is a free community event being held for veterans, their families and community members in need to provide a free day of support and services to those experiencing a housing crisis or to those who are in need of community supports, according to Butler County Human Services Community Housing Development Coordinator Allyson Rose.
The Stand Down is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora. Over 40 vendors are planned to be available at this free event to share information about housing and homeless services, as well as mental and physical care. Lunch will be available as well as free haircuts and lots of giveaways including hygiene products, clothing and footwear.
According to Rose, this is an important event for the community so her agency has partnered with the Butler VA to make sure as many veterans and family members are helped as possible.
“We work closely with VA Butler Healthcare along with a lot of the housing and homeless providers to reach out to veterans who are in need who we are aware of and then we provide transportation if needed,” she said. “But we do our best to make sure that all veterans are aware of the service, not just homeless veterans. We do a lot of outreach to the community to make sure that we get the homeless veterans there.”
The term Stand Down originated in the Vietnam War era as a time when soldiers were able to return to base camp and rest.
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network