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The Stand Down will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2006, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at CobbWorks!, 463 Commerce Park Drive, Marietta, GA. 30060. Homeless veterans will get a broad range of services and necessities such as food, medical attention, legal counseling, employment opportunities and other information. Although the event is being held in Cobb, the outreach stretches to veterans in Cherokee, Douglas, Paulding, Bartow, Forsyth, Floyd and North Fulton Counties.

Every day homeless veteran’s battle with adversities one cannot imagine. “The mission of ‘Operation Stand Down’ is to provide a hand up not a hand out to veterans who served their country and now walk the streets without a home, without medical care and often without hope…” says Denny Roach, Co-Coordinator Operation Stand Down, member DAV Chapter 6 and former homeless veteran. “The problem of homelessness is not going away by itself. The Cobb County Stand Down for homeless veterans needs the type of support that is not possible without a strong network of volunteers and supporters.”

The objective of a Stand Down is to unite the homeless with community resources available in one area and identify their needs during the year. “By conducting smaller homeless outreach efforts in the communities, we reach homeless veterans who may not have been placed into the VA Medical System” says Joan O’Connell, Co-coordinator Operation Stand Down and Director, Cobb Community Collaborative. The Cobb Collaborative and DAV Chapter 6 hopes other veteran organizations, the business community, private establishments, faith-based organizations, and local residents will answer the call by joining other dedicated individuals throughout our community for this important event.“

The project is partially funded by the US Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Services. Those interested in helping should identify and refer homeless Veterans, volunteer, financial donation, donate supplies, clothing, or non-perishable foods.

Additional details about the Stand Down, review ‘Veterans Wish List’ or sign up as a volunteer is available online at www.cobbcollaborative.org and select “StandDown” in the News section or call 678 559-7432