After more than two-years in the making, The Delta Veterans Group held their 4-day Stand Down on the Delta event which attracted more than 350 veterans and 800 volunteers at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch.
This was the first of its kind event in Contra Costa County which relied on heavy community involvement and the raising of close to $75,000 to provide services to at-risk homeless veterans.
The event was filled to capacity as they ran out of beds and tent space as 352 veterans attended. JR Wilson, president of the Delta Veterans Group, said the actual number was closer to 380 veterans, but they did have to turn away some walk-ins who did not pre-register.
Wilson explained the Stand Down on the Delta had been a long two years to open their doors for the event, but in the end all the effort paid off.
“It was absolutely awesome when the veterans entered the facility,” said Wilson. “When we first started this, we looked at a jungle in front of us. Every time we came across to a tree, we had to chop it down. That road has now been cleared and paved. We know logistics for 2017. It’s ready to go on.”
Dr. Kristin Mattingly, of Oakley Chiropractic, performing chiropractic services on a veteran.
The event’s goal was to provide a one-stop-shop for homeless veterans to get much needed services from meals, showers, haircuts, health and wellness checks, pet services, and some rest and relaxation from the daily grind of being out on the streets. There was also medical, dental, and eye services.
According to Wilson, Delta Veterans Group has four pillars to success which include housing, education, health, employment—these four pillars are the key to veteran success. He notes that while serving in the military, those are all provided. When you are discharged, you lose all of it and forced to be on your own.
Wilson highlighted that of all the services provided, what stuck out to him was helping more than 50 veterans get off drugs and alcohol.
“What sticks out to me was the Alcohol Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous Program,” explained Wilson. “We really helped people in need get off drugs and alcohol. That is huge because now maybe they can now take steps to get back on their feet.”
He also stated that they added services that are not typically at a Stand Down because the Delta is not available at all locations.
“We are providing services that are unreal. We had a fishing trip. That does not happen at a Stand Down,” says Wilson. “Stand Downs don’t set up logistics to take veterans off site. Paradise Skate opened up for us to allow families have it for that time. Mobile command came out with their trucks to provide entertainment. What I am amazed about is what we talked about in bringing the community together and bringing the organizations together and when I see that in full order, that is what is so wonderful.”
Smitty Smith, president of the Veterans Of Oakley, stated his organization was more than willing to help out.
“This is a great event and we are proud to be of service to our fellow veterans who are not so fortunate and are homeless. This event has been quite the success; we look forward to doing this in two years with a bigger event,” explained Smith.
Smith highlighted that over the two years, people never could image Wilsons vision because they had never seen it.
“You know we never saw the vision or relate to JR’s vision that he had for this. There was a lot of skepticism in the beginning, raising all the money and what the event would be. But look, it all came together and people helped, lots of volunteers and turned out better than we expected.,” said Smith. “it was a no brainer for the Veterans of Oakley to help in the event”.
Also part of the event was services for homeless veterans pets which Wilson said was a high priority.
Contra Costa County Animal Response Team (CoCoCART) also participated in the event as they worked with the animals. They had have a veterinarian come in and check on the veterans animals and watched the dogs over the period of the event.
Veterans were able to leave pets to partake in the event.
Jim Bruener explained it was an honor to participate to help those who served this country.
“We have been training for this for years. This is great having the opportunity to help out for those who served. Its very rewarding. A lot of these animals are owned by homeless people and yet they are healthy and in good shape. It’s great to help out in a situation like this.” Jim Breuner.”
Wilson added that helping out comes in many forms of service or just having a conversation.
Wilson explained that the Stand Down on the Delta symbolizes what the military is all about because once you have a common goal, it does not matter what walk of life you come from or where you come from, you all mesh together.
“As a military, we come from Ohio, Oklahoma, Florida, anywhere and all different aspects of life whether its financial or lifestyle, but in the military we all come together to be a cohesive unit and work together as a team and accomplish the mission,” explained Wilson. “When we have a Stand Down, we have a very tolerant atmosphere for all groups and people. The only thing we wanted to do was serve as many people from the veterans community as possible.”
DVG Thanks Supporters and Volunteers
Wilson said the Delta Veterans Group thanks everyone who volunteered, donated funds, donated services and there were too many to name. He did highlight, this was not a Delta Veterans Group event, it was everyone who put skin into the game.
“This is what can happen when everyone comes together for a cause. Great things happen,” said Wilson. “I will be thanking a lot of people over the next several months.
2017 Stand Down on the Delta Planning to Start in February 2016
Planning for the 2017 event will get underway in February of 2016 which the Delta Veterans Group hopes will be even bigger and better now that the communty understands what the event is.
“We look forward 2017 with planning to start in February of 2016. It will be bigger and better. The road has been paved and hardships in getting where we are going has been cleared in where we are going. Everyone made this happen through volunteerism, the bar is now set high and we hope to continue to raise it each event,” said Wilson.
Oakley Councilwoman Sue Higgins plays a game of cards with a veteran.
The goal is to serve 450 veterans while increasing the volunteer numbers to 1,500. They also want to expand their fishing trip from 20 people to 60 with boats in the water so we are not fishing off the pier.
“Anything and everything you could think of was donated and we couldn’t have done it without community organizations, businesses, the community, stakeholders and volunteers,” said Wilson.
For more information on the Delta Veterans Group and to stay up to date on the 2017 Stand Down on the Delta, visit www.deltaveteransgroup.org
1 comment
Thanks for reporting on this ECT. It’s good to see this kind of thing getting positive attention.
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