Salinas, CA Veterans Event In Salinas A Hit : American Red Cross, American Legion, SPCA And Other Non Profits All Pitch In

View From A Non-Profit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

I wrote recently on my blog about an event held this Tuesday to Thursday in Salinas to benefit homeless veterans called Stand Down.  I was happy to hear that the event was well attended, with boots, shoes and clothing passed out on Tuesday to more than 200 veterans along with prepackaged toiletry kits, duffel bags, socks and underwear on just the first day of the event.  Many Vietnam veterans from the American Legion contributed funds, and the toiletry kits were packed and prepared by the American Red Cross, with the American Legion Auxiliary in charge of clothing distribution.  It's great that so many non-profits could participate, including a number of church groups and the SPCA of Monterey County, which set up an on-site shelter for veterans' pets.  They did pet health screening and vaccination services and provided crates to allow dogs and cats to stay with their owners while they slept in tents at the Stand Down event.  Three judges also volunteered their time (one each from Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey County).  They held court hearings in a GI squad tent for homeless veterans who are in trouble with the law over minor offenses.  Volunteers from the Monterey College of Law were there to assist those in trouble with the law in other counties.  This kind of coordination is what community is all about.  The first Stand Down was organized in 1988 by a group of Vietnam veterans in San Diego and since then it has increased dramatically.  The Monterey Stand Down was the first one in our local area and I hope it continues.  I wrote recently on my blog about the financial difficulties faced by Dorothy's Place, which helps many elderly seniors which are homeless in Monterey.  There are many homeless veterans that are seniors as well, please help them if you can.