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Organizers collect donations for upcoming Veterans Stand Down

Posted at 6:51 PM, Oct 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-04 01:30:48-04

Organizers of the upcoming Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down event are collecting donations from the community.

A collection event was held Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Santa Maria Fairpark. People can also donate next Wednesday at Gate 5 off Stowell Road.

The Stand Down event is happening on Saturday, October 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last year, more than 500 veterans came in for Stand Down services, which includes everything from free haircuts and clothing to health and legal services. The purpose of the event is to help our nation’s veterans get back on their feet when they return home from service.

“The difference you see when a veteran comes in who needs a hot meal and a shower and a haircut, you don’t even recognize them when they’re walking out. If we help one person, we feel like we’re doing a good job,” said Sandy Agalos, Stand Down coordinator.

Organizers say they still need new t-shirts, new underwear, and socks for men, women, and children. There will be more than a hundred service providers at the event to help veterans.