Vets, volunteers lend a helping hand

Marcus Perry was happy to find a pair of free sneakers at a recent North County Stand Down that saw volunteers from Alpine lend a helping hand.

Former Marine Marcus Perry systematically walked up and down the makeshift shopping aisles created by melamine tables standing on the lawn at the North County Stand Down event. With a quick smile and shining eyes, he cracked a few jokes about the assorted pairs of cowboy boots lined up among the tables stacked with free clothing items, then eagerly moved on a pair of New Balance sneakers like a young man finding a deal at a local mall, exclaiming over the gently used soles.

A guest at the North County Stand Down event that was held Feb. 6-9 at Green Oak Ranch in Vista, Perry is 27 and has been battling alcoholism. He has no permanent home.

“I was in the Marine Corps from 2010 to 2015. I’m originally from Bakersfield but I’m staying in this area. I’d like to eventu­ally get into something like firefighting, maybe be an EMT,” Perry said.

Perry was just one of about 300 prior service members from across San Diego County who attended the stand down.

According to the Veterans Administration website, stand down events are typically one- to three-days during which VA staff and volunteers provide food, clothing and health screenings to home­less and at-risk veterans. In addition, veterans also receive refer­rals for health care, housing solutions, employment, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling and other essential services.

Regional VFW volunteer Kathie Okalski said it is veterans like Perry who make volunteering important.

“This is an amazing event, it truly helps people, especially those who have a whole life ahead of them,” Okalski said.

In San Diego County there is typically one stand down held on an annual basis at downtown San Diego High School as well as the more rural North County Stand Down. A similar event does not exist for East County. However, volunteers from Alpine Lakeside and Santee VFW posts answered the call for help at the North County Stand Down event held Feb. 6-9 at Green Oak Ranch in Vista.

Santee VFW Auxiliary presi­dent Sherri Mitchell volun­teered as team leader for the pet zone, an area where homeless veterans were able to leave their dogs while circulating through the event, with the understand­ing that they would pick them up at the end of the day.

Colored tennis balls and rope toys were scattered around the free-run dog area, a roughly 20 x 20 grassy spot sectioned off from the rest of the event. Hanging off the chain-link fence in one corner was a camp shower capable of supplying warm wa­ter, a happy respite for dogs who might not have frequent oppor­tunities for a soapy dog bath.

Inside the adjoining tent, large bags of dog food stood in neatly stacked piles. Plastic bins filled with colorful toys and fresh collars waited alongside an organized section of assorted treats, a cheerful distraction for the dogs while their owners con­sulted with employment service providers, obtained fresh cloth­ing and shoes, and visited a den­tist.

Mitchell said the pet zone has grown well beyond a doggie daycare and into a booth where veterans are able to get help for their dogs including shots and basic care from a veterinary technician.

 

Homeless and at-risk veterans shared information on local resources while waiting to sign in as guests at a recent stand down event.                  

“I got tons of donations from Harrah’s. Kahoots (pet store) do­nated so much as well— bags of food, toys, that huge bin of balls. The Santee VFW also gave me a financial donation which I used to buy flea medication. Honestly, the Pet Zone has been a growth project. So many people have nobody but their dog and when they come here, I want them to know their best friend is also getting cared for,” Mitchell said.

Irvin Musgrove and his dog Kylie are repeat attendees at the event.

“I’m from Texas, a former Ma­rine. I really appreciate the help y’all are giving here. This is my second time coming here but I skipped one in the middle when my fiance died. They bless you here,” Musgrove said.

North County Veterans Stand Down Director Matt Foster said the event brings veterans off the streets and that not all of them are homeless, but all need help. He speaks assertively, talking more about solutions than sym­pathy.

“The whole point is to help them. We’re looking to help those who are homeless but al­so those who are one paycheck away from disaster. We want them to be self-sustaining. Only about 3% of the population vol­unteers to serve and we train them for combat but not much else once they get out,” Foster said.

Unlike some Stand Down events that are held in urban areas, this particular event is somewhat isolated so interest­ed veterans are bussed in from across the county for the event. They are found on the streets, in shelters, through outreach workers and rehabilitation pro­grams.

Volunteer Dan Regan turns up after a morning of driving in participants who share information on available resources be­fore they are checked in for the weekend as guests and assigned a bunk in which to sleep.

“It’s interesting driving the vans because you have three or four guys in the back and you hear them talking— they know the system, they help each oth­er out,” Regan said.

Foster said the event is somewhat driven by word of mouth. He says the veteran community’s tendency to talk is helpful as they spread word of vital resources available at the event that aren’t read­ily available outside of Stand Down such as free eyeglasses made on site after a visit with an optometrist for updated vi­sion prescriptions.

He explained that although the event is officially held over the course of the weekend, some services, such as extensive den­tal work also require a follow-up visit so services are somewhat ongoing.

Outside the pet zone, Janet Langrehr and Trey Ustick stood surrounded by plastic tubs of donated personal hygiene prod­ucts. Langrehr bounces around the area in excitement, throws an arm around Ustick as she cheerfully smiles wide for a photo. She is part of the Student Veterans Organization at Mesa College and said she has been trying for years to bring the or­ganization to the event.

“I’m a former Marine and I’ve always volunteered for the Stand Down but we have such a large SVO that there isn’t a good place to put us. Now that I’m here, though, I’m in! This is such a great event, I’m going to make sure and do this every year,” Langrehr said.

Inside a tent filled with ser­vice providers, volunteer after volunteer echoes a similar sentiment: they want to help.

Social worker KC Crawford said:

“I’m here with the homeless program with the V.A., trying to help homeless veterans get off the streets.”

Across the aisle, Veterans Village of San Diego Peer Out­reach Specialist Jimmy Muller stood at a table stocked with information from multiple out­reach groups.

“I’m just here to help,” Muller said.

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