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VA planning OKC homless vets Stand Down

  • Published
  • By Micah Garbarino
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  Three hundred is a big number. It seems even bigger when you put it next to this fact: "number of homeless veterans in Oklahoma County." Many of these veterans are in need of a physician, dentist, mental-health professional or maybe just a hot meal, shower and shave.

To get some of these men and women connected to care, the Department of Veterans Affairs in Oklahoma City, along with several local helping agencies is coordinating their annual Stand Down for Oct. 23 and 24. They need a little help.

According to the VA, nearly one-third of the homeless population in America is made up of veterans, many of whom have little or no family support.

"Some vets have a misconception that it's hard to get treatment at the VA. But here we're really open. One of our main goals for the Stand Down is to get people enrolled and connected," said Pamela Starks, a social worker with the VA who is coordinating this year's event.

The VA is assembling an army of caregivers. Medical facilities will be on hand. Dentists will be available for checkups. Donated clothing will be given out. Barbers will be available for haircuts. Efforts will be made to steer the vets toward counseling in VA and Social Security benefits, housing benefits, employment assistance and addiction treatment. Ms. Starks is even hoping to have showers, washers and dryers available for use.

More than 250 homeless are expected to take advantage of the Stand Down and on the afternoon of the second day, the event will be opened up to all homeless, not just the veterans. Transportation will be provided to and from this event by the VA from the City Rescue Mission, City Church, Jesus House, Salvation Army, and VA Medical Center. The days run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westtown, a building owned and volunteered by the Homeless Alliance at 1729 NW 3rd St. (corner of NW 3rd & Virginia).

Set up for the event will take three days and begins on Oct. 20. Anyone interested in volunteering should call Ms. Starks at 227-8811.

"We can't do any of this without volunteers," Ms. Starks said. "They are such a big part."

Donations can be taken to the American Legion Post 170 of Midwest City, one of two posts accepting donations for the event. They are accepting new men and women's underclothes -- socks, T-shirts and underwear, good-quality used shoes and clothing. Any left-over items will be distributed from VA facilities to homeless veterans throughout the year.

Post 170 is located in Midwest City at 8610 NE 10th St. Donations maybe dropped off during Monday, Thursday or Saturday evenings between 5 and 9 p.m. until Oct. 18. For more information, call 732-6665.

Post 12 is located in Bethany-Warr Acres at 6101 NW 50th Street. Donations maybe dropped off on Friday mornings between 8 and 11 a.m until Oct. 17. For more information, call 787-6010.