LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The United Veterans Council of Lake County and the VetConnect/Stand Down committee, or VetConnect, would like to give a huge thank you to the service providers and volunteers that made the 2018 Lake/Mendocino County Veteran Resource Fair and Homeless Veteran Stand Down successful.

Over the two days, 163 veterans signed in to receive services, 52 of which were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The One Justice Legal team gave free estate planning to 15 veteran and Lake County Transit provided free bus fare to 25 veterans that would not have been able to attend otherwise.

Services offered to veterans were: Employment Development Department, Social Security Administration, Lake County Department of Social Services, Behavioral Health, Area on Aging and Child Support Division, Veteran Service representatives from both Lake and Mendocino County and California Department of Veteran Affairs.

The Department of Veterans Affairs offered Member Services Representatives from the Clearlake clinic, HUD VASH intake and referrals, Community Nursing Home as well as other departments and representative from the Veteran Benefits Administration.

Veterans were offered mini health screenings by nurses from Sutter Health and Mendocino Community Health Clinic and cardiac and stroke prevention tips by Dr. Minotti.

The VetConnect/Stand Down committee is grateful for the more than 30 organizations, 65 representatives and 30 volunteers that attended the Stand Down both days and to those who began with the setup and stayed for the tear down of this great venue.

VetConnect would also like thank Hospice Services of Lake County and the Mendo-Lake Family Magazine for their help with advertising the Stand Down.

It is only because of volunteers and these organizations that the Stand Down is successful and our Veterans can receive so many services.

The next VetConnect event will be held at the American Legion Hall in Clearlake on December 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch provided.

The 2019 Stand Down is expected to be held Sept. 25 to 26, again at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.

If you would like information on how to help Lake County veterans, please contact Frank Parker at 707-274 9512. To stay up to date regarding future events, to request information, or if you interested in being a provider at these events, please join our Facebook group: Lake County Vet Connect Hook Up Hub. Donations can be made to LCVC at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport, these donations are used to purchase surplus items and for services to local veterans.

Amanda Celli is member services representative for the Veterans Administration’s Clearlake Community Based Outpatient Clinics.