Stand Down to give back to valley military veterans in need

It's almost time to step up for Stand Down.

Stand Down is a national support initiative for needy veterans. In a more local scope, the second annual Veterans Stand Down is planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6 and 7 at the Cambridge Community Center, 3900 Cambridge St .

The Stand Down provides a variety of services, including help with housing, clothing and counseling thanks to more than 100 agencies and donors. Personal care kits, food packets, sleeping supplies, backpacks, shoes and more also are to be distributed. Counseling and employment services will be available, too.

Other events are usually hosted in the spring but a group of local veterans supporters decided to stage the Stand Down in the fall to provide homeless veterans with assistance before the colder months set in. The event will be hosted a week prior to the national event, said James McCawley, commander of the local chapter of the Catholic War Veterans of the USA.

Many of those served during the Stand Down are at or near homelessness.

"Our main goal is to prevent homelessness or help those on the street to get back into the flow of society," McCawley said. "We're taking the challenge and moving forward."

About 3,000 veterans call Las Vegas streets home. McCawley said he hopes to get at least 1,000 of them through the Cambridge Community Center doors next weekend.

Last year, about 400 people, including some families, received counseling, support and necessary items such as coats and sleeping bags. McCawley said that the age and experience of those who received help varied.

"We saw several Iraq and Afghanistan veterans pending disability and who can't afford housing," he said.

A free shuttle is planned to pick veterans up from two locations beginning at 8 a.m. and transport them to the Cambridge Community Center and then back to the original pickup site. The last pickup is expected at around 2 p.m. The pickup locations are Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North, and the Veteran American North Clinic, 916 W. Owens Ave.

William B. Yowell, program/ event coordinator for the local nonprofit Neighborhood Family Services, served in the U.S. Navy from 1982- 86 and he said it was empowering to offer help to his peers during the Stand Down 2010.

He said the group of men and women who received care were very appreciative . "They keep the peace for us," he said. "To give back is to reach out and give someone a hand up not a handout."

Pre-registration is encouraged by calling the Veterans Affairs Southern Nevada Healthcare System at 636-3000, ext. 6054. To make donations or volunteer, call 686-5666 or 455-7386.

For more information on the Stand Down, visit standown.org .

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.