PORT TOWNSEND — Free services for veterans ranging from hair cuts to employment services will be offered at the Jefferson County Veterans Stand Down on Monday.
The Stand Down, sponsored by Voices for Veterans, will be from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St.
It is open to all veterans, especially those who are homeless or in need, and their families.
Voices for Veterans President John Braasch of Quilcene said he expects about 125 veterans to attend.
“We’ve got quite a good turnout for service providers this year,” the fourth annual event in Port Townsend, Braasch added, saying that 19 agencies from across the North Olympic Peninsula will participate.
Among the services planned:
■ Hot breakfast and lunch.
■ Employment services.
■ Benefits counseling.
■ Housing assistance.
■ Haircuts.
■ Legal aid.
■ Health screenings, both medical and dental.
■ Clothing and bedding.
■ Hygiene kits and outdoor equipment.
■ Acupuncture.
New this year is an arrangement in which appointments can be made for dental work.
Longtime Stand Down volunteers retired Navy dentist Dr. John Paul and his wife, Jan, a dental hygienist, will check veterans to see what services they need, Braasch said.
Dr. John Barrett has donated his office at Dentistry Northwest in Port Hadlock for one day for Paul to work on veterans, so appointments for a later date can be made at the Stand Down.
“This is something we’ve been able to put together for the first time,” Braasch said.
“We can’t do crowns or bridges, but we will be able to do
[such things as] extractions and fillings,” he said.
Dr. Ed Hopfner and his wife, Phyllis, a registered nurse — both retired — have volunteered for Stand Downs since 2005, Braasch said.
Medical services will include vaccines and booster shots.
Free transportation to and from the Stand Down is available on Jefferson Transit.
To get a free ride, just tell the bus driver you are going to the Stand Down, Braasch said.
An estimated 110 veterans attended this year’s Forks Stand Down on May 6, probably
the largest to date in the
West End, Braasch said.
The Port Angeles event will be Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St.
The nonprofit Voices for Veterans takes pride in assisting homeless veterans without taxpayer money, Braasch said.
Anyone interested in contributing to the Stands Downs can send an email to voicesforveterans@yahoo.com.
For more information on Voices for Veterans, visit www.voicesforveterans.org. For more information about the Stand Down in Port Townsend, phone the VFW at 360-301-5010, 360-417-2383 or 360-374-5011.
