Camp Algonquin Stand Down for Veterans to take place October 8 and 9

It’s time for the fall Stand Down for Veterans at Camp Algonquin. Sponsored by NASA (not the space agency, but the Crystal Lake-based National Association of Systems Administrators) Educational Foundation, it is being promoted as a “veterans party” on at least one FM radio station that I listened to.

The idea is that veterans in need of advice or much more can get it at Camp Algonquin Monday and Tuesday. Volunteers provide clothing, meals, medical screening, legal services, a night in front of a big screen TV, haircuts, PACE cards, really, you name it and this Stand Down probably has it.

Last spring, Illinois Veterans Affairs Department Director Tammy Duckworth spoke, but I didn’t get there until the next day. Here’s where you can read about last fall’s stand down.

One of the things I hope to learn is how the check list (seen here, but which can be enlarged by clicking on it) worked out. The press release follows:

Stand Down for Veterans to take place October 8 and 9

Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, disabled, homeless and unemployed are the focus of the Stand Down for Veterans, which will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on October 8 and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. October 9 at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin.

“We will have something for every veteran in need,” said John Blanchard, executive director of National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education), the sponsor of the event. He added that the organization is expecting to provide services to 100 veterans. “The community stands ready to help those who gave so much for all of us.”

Services will include medical screenings and information about other VA services by North Chicago VA Medical Center, employment services by Jeff Johnson, Andrew Michnowski and Reynaldo Infante of Veterans Employment Training Service (VETS)/Department of Labor through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), referrals for housing assistance and other services by Mike Iwanicki and Cheryl Kirsch of the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission and John Carr of the Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission, legal counseling by Attorney Jeffrey Antonelli and Prairie State Legal Services, referrals for dental services by local dentists and the Illinois Foundation for Dentistry for the Handicapped, and referrals for eye care services by Northwest Eye Care of Algonquin. Lions Foundation of Illinois will provide the hearing van from 1 to 5 p.m. on October 8. Phyllis Taylor Smith of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will verify military status and eligibility for services.

Veterans will be able to register for medical care at North Chicago VA Medical Center and Hines VA Medical Center at the Stand Down.

Veteran service officers Ted and Lisa Biever from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), Richard Lesniewicz of the American Legion, and representatives of AMVETS, the VFW and various other veterans organizations will assist veterans in applying for VA disability claims and other VA benefits, state health insurance, and DD214s. Information about community services for homeless and low-income individuals will be provided by Susan Giannone, the constituent services advocate from Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s Office. Scott Ottesen of The Vet Center will meet with veterans and distribute information about services.

NASA Education will accept applications for participation in Project Fresh Start, its comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration program for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition. NASA Education will also accept applications for its new 32-bed transitional housing facility for homeless veterans. Local employers Liberating Solutions and Vet-Tek will be on-site to offer employment opportunities.

“The veterans aren’t looking for charity, and the help we’re giving them should not be interpreted as charity. They want a job. A place to live. A means of paying their bills. The same things all of us want and need,” said Blanchard. “They deserve these things.”

Veterans will also receive a number of amenities at the Stand Down, including free haircuts by SportClips Haircuts and Chazio’s Salon, and chair massages by Sheryl Roberts of Changing Lifestyles. Meals and the use of shower facilities will be provided on both days, and overnight shelter will be provided on October 8. Individuals and organizations from the community have donated new and gently used clothing and shoes, new underwear and socks, and toiletries. Eli Lilly has donated toiletry kits.

NASA Education will have a volunteer/service provider orientation meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3, at NASA Education, which is located at 3305 South IL Rte. 31, Crystal Lake, Illinois, for those who would like to help set up the site on Sunday, October 7, work the event itself on Monday, October 8, and Tuesday, October 9, and clean up on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 9.

Donations are still needed in the form of cash, new and gently used clothes for men and women, baked goods or other desserts, toiletries, fast food gift certificates in small denominations and gift cards from supermarkets.

Transportation will be provided to the Stand Down for the veterans from various pick-up points throughout the community.

Please phone NASA Education at 866-338-4968 toll-free for more information about the Stand Down, pick-up points, volunteering and making donations. Or you may send an email to Kathy Chwedyk at kathy_chwedyk@nasaeducation.org. The NASA Education website is www.nasaeducation.org.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.


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