Athens Area Stand Down provides resources for veterans and others in need with help from OHIO
Athens Area Stand Down is an annual event supplying resources for veterans and community members who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.
October 1, 2024
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The ninth annual Athens Area Stand Down will help support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the Athens area. The event is a grassroots, community-based intervention program originally designed to help our nation’s homeless veterans combat life on the streets. Stand Down has since expanded to all community members who are in need.
Director of Ohio University’s Veterans and Military Student Services Center Terry St. Peter has served on the Athens Area Stand Down committee since its inception in 2016. St. Peter is a veteran himself and says the event is an opportunity for us to give back to veterans who may be struggling or less fortunate than us.
St. Peter also emphasized the need for donations and volunteers to make this event work and thanked the many OHIO-affiliated individuals who are involved. This year Ohio University Army and Air Force ROTC detachments, the Ohio University Student Veterans of America student organization, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Patton College of Education and more will help volunteer.
“I just would like to thank the Ohio University departments, colleges, participants—our volunteers, for their outstanding support over the last eight years, in this endeavor,” said St. Peter. “We look forward to continuing to work with each and every one of them as we continue this.”
This year’s Stand Down will take place this Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at the Athens County Fair Grounds (286 W. Union St., Athens, Ohio) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans will be served the entire four hours, anyone else in need will be served from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Individuals who attend a Stand Down are provided with a broad range of necessities including food, clothing, medical, legal and mental health assistance, job counseling and referral, and most importantly, companionship and camaraderie.
For more information on how to donate essential items or volunteer please visit: https://www.athensareastanddown.org/.
Disclaimer: It is not the intent of Ohio University to imply an endorsement by any service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.