Stand Down extends helping hand to homeless vets
By Kathleen Folkerth
SOUTH AKRON — Dozens of volunteers are spending hours planning a day to reach out and help homeless veterans in Summit County.
The second Stand Down for Homeless
Veterans will take place Sept. 18 at the Firestone VFW
Post No. 3383. From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., community organizations,
social service agencies and veterans groups will be
on hand to offer what organizers say is “a hand
up, not a hand down”
for veterans facing hard times.
The Akron event joins about 100
similar events that happen across the nation. The first
Stand Down was held in San Diego in 1988. In July 2002,
the founders of Stand Down asked the National Coalition
for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) to provide national leadership
for the movement.
According to the NCHV Web site,
the name of the program, Stand Down, refers to a 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.
Laura Dunlop, a Highland Square
resident, is leading the effort for the second annual
event.
Dunlop, a Korean War
veteran, had been on the Governor’s
Advisory Committee of Women Veterans. In that role,
she attended some of the other Stand Downs taking place
around the state.
“I just went for a day
to help out, and in doing that I thought I’d love
to see us do it here in Summit County,” Dunlop
said.
In March of 2006, Dunlop and
others began organizing the first Summit County Stand
Down. She got organizations such as local VFW posts,
the American Legion and Army-Navy Garrisons to get involved
in the effort, as well as city, county and state agencies.
Dunlop said she wasn’t
sure how many people to expect to serve at the first
event.
“I thought we’d get
anywhere from 60 to 200 people,” she said. At
the end of the day, 205 veterans, ranging in age from
26 to 83, walked through the doors and were helped.
Thirteen of them were women. “This
year we are predicting up to 325 people,” she
said.
On the day of the Stand Down,
METRO will provide free bus transportation via its 18
Thornton/Manchester bus, which departs from Cascade
Plaza in Downtown Akron.
Once they arrive at the VFW,
veterans will be paired with what organizers call a
shepherd, a volunteer who will personally assist them
to navigate the myriad of services available that day.
One of the most popular offerings
of the event will be haircuts, Dunlop said. Last year,
four barbers worked throughout the day, giving 100 haircuts.
This year, Dunlop has 12 barbers lined up to do the
job.
Veterans also will receive a
bag lunch to take with them and can enjoy coffee, punch
and muffins while at the site.
Goodwill Industries will be on
hand to pass out $30 vouchers, while an assortment of
new and gently used clothes
also will be given out.
Veterans also will be given toiletries
and essentials like socks and underwear.
Some medical services will be
available during the day, such as dental and foot evaluations.
Tom Shuber, of Stow, is one veteran
who is volunteering for the Stand Down. He is helping
to distribute T-shirts for the shepherds to wear, so
they stand out among the throng of people.
“The feeling you get is
immeasurable,” Shuber said. “It’s
all the service organizations coming together. On that
day we’re all just veterans. It’s one big
old fraternity.”
Shuber said those volunteering
really feel for their brothers and sisters in need.
“Just about everyone realizes
they could be in the same shoes,” he said.
Currently, organizers are trying
to get the word out about the event by contacting churches,
social service agencies
and homeless shelters.
Dunlop said the public could
help by getting the word out. Because the Summit County
Stand Down has not been set up as a nonprofit organization,
it cannot accept donations of money. But anyone interested
in giving donations of items for the veterans can do
that, she said. Fast-food restaurant and telephone gift
cards are welcome.
The Firestone VFW Post 3383 is
located at 690 W. Waterloo Road. For more information,
contact Dunlop at (330) 753-2129 or lwdun
lop@hotmail.com.
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