Portland, Oregon Nov 2, 2018 (Issuewire.com) - Remembering Veterans this Veterans’ Day and EVERY DAY!
Stand Downs: Designed for homeless veterans the original was modelled after the concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. At secure base camp areas, troops were able to take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters while enjoying the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment, thus affording battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being.
That is the purpose of the Stand Down for homeless veterans, achieving those objectives requires a wide range of support services and time; the program is successful because it brings support, to one location, making the services provided more accessible to homeless veterans.
In July 2002, the founders of Stand Down – Robert Van Keuren, Dr Jon Nachison and Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, asked the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) to become the “keeper of the flame” and provide national leadership for the movement. Since the first Stand Down in San Diego in 1988, the program has become recognized as the most valuable outreach tool to help homeless veterans in the nation today.
Tools4Troops Role: October 2014 attending the Troutdale Oregon Stand Down (purely as observers) and quickly recognized that a key support element was missing i.e., provision of tools for therapeutic, home & workplace needs. Armed with that information Tools4Troops PBC adopted ‘Stand Downs’ as their ideal distribution outlet for T4T’s charitable outreach and since attended (82) PACNW Stand Downs providing in the process to >2,500 Veterans.
In 2018 we’ve provided tools and ancillaries to US Army units stationed in Poland and Afghanistan, Easter Seals, Salvation Army, WSO (Work Source Oregon, WSW (Work Source Washington) plus many individual requests.
The premise is that the provision of such goods enables veterans to improve their outlook on life while at the same time assisting in widening employment opportunities in their chosen field of endeavour as well a provider of tools for therapeutic, home and workplace.
Achievement: June 10 2014 witnessed Tools4Troops 1st distribution event, held at West Linn, Oregon Robinwood Community Center since that time T4T has distributed tools of estimated value >$320,000.00 to >2,500 US Armed Forces Veterans mostly @ Stand Down events but also via ‘partnerships’ including Easter Seals, Salvation Army, Voices For Veterans, North Coast Veterans, Work Source Oregon (WSO), Work Source Washington (WSW), Oregon Military Support Network (OMSN), VA outlets and ‘one on one’ nationwide Veterans requests.
Tools4Troops.org, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is requesting cash and goods donations. T4T is changing lives, one-tool-at-a-time and every tool has a story. We welcome to opportunity to share more of our story so that we can reach even more veterans. Please contact Pete Wall at (503) 490-0562 or Patt Bilow at (503) 701-7444 for more information on how we continue to honour veterans and active duty service men and women.
Tools4Troops PBC (EIN 46-5084630)
Facebook. Tools4Troops Tools4Troops.org 503 490-0562
PO Box 476 Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Media Contact
Tools4troops.org patt@tools4troops.org 503*-490-0562 PO Box 476, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 http://tools4troops.org
