Orange County Holds First Veterans Stand Down

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Orange County Holds First Veterans Stand Down

SACRAMENTO – The first-ever Orange County Veterans Stand Down to help homeless and in-need veterans and their families will take place on September 17th and 18th in Santa Ana, California at Santa Ana College, Lot 13, corner of West 17th Street and College Avenue. Registration takes place from 6:00 to 9:00 a. m. on Saturday, September 17 only.

This Stand Down is being presented by Veterans First and the Rancho Santiago Community College District, with support from the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA), the American G. I. Forum, The American Legion Post 291, and several other State, and Local government and community-based organizations.

“Orange County has one of the largest veteran populations in the state. The participation by those involved with this event is a testament to the dedication of Californians to our statewide veterans community, ” said Peter Gravett, CalVet Secretary for Veterans Affairs.

Orange County is home to more than 100,000 veterans with hundreds of them living on the streets. This two-day Stand Down event will offer homeless and in-need veterans a wide variety of social services provided by state and local agencies and community-based nonprofit organizations. Trained volunteers will help veterans access medical, dental, vision and other services.

“As an active member of the Orange County veteran community, I am so proud that this event is being held in the central part of Orange County where there are so many who can benefit from what this event has to offer, ” said Robin Umberg, CalVet Undersecretary for Veterans Homes.

The Stand Down model has been used in hundreds of cities all over the country to help tens of thousands of homeless and in-need veterans and their families.

For more information on the Orange County Stand Down or for donation or volunteer opportunities, please visit the event website at www.ocstanddown.org or contact Veterans First at (714) 547-0615.