Conejo Valley Chapter Reaches Out to Homeless Veterans

Ventura, CA - The Conejo Valley Chapter membership once again, rolled-up their sleeves to assist at the Ventura County Stand Down for Homeless Veterans. The three-day event held July 26, 27, and 28, 2013, at the National Guard Armory in Ventura, welcomed homeless Veterans into the armory at 8:00 AM on Friday morning, where they were treated like royalty until the event closed at noon on Sunday. This event draws Veterans from as far away as Western Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties as well as Ventura County. Transportation to the event is provided in-part by the Veterans Administration for those Veterans who are in need.

This is the Conejo Valley Chapters' eighth year of participating not only with volunteer hours but with donations as well. The event is operated solely through the support of many different service organizations who donate their time, professional expertise and funds. Homeless Veterans are provided with shelter, a clean bed, and three meals each day. Additional services offered are medical and dental care, counseling, help in finding a home and/or jobs, legal aid and spiritual counseling. Ventura County provides a mobile County Court and representatives from the DMV are also on hand. All services are provided to the Veteran free of charge by participating offices and organizations.  

For the past two years the Los Angeles Eschscholtzia C.A.R. chapter, under the guidance of Marion Buxton, an associate member of Conejo Valley Chapter, has donated shoes to the Stand Down.  The boys in the chapter collect these "gently used" shoes throughout the year and Marion delivers them to the event.  We believe the boys (ages 8 thru 18) are learning about Veterans, homelessness, collecting and of giving to those in need.