Stand Down of South Jersey is a 501 (c)(3) charity organized to provide for homeless and at-risk Veterans in the ten southern counties of New Jersey. We also provide necessary services to some Veterans from Philadelphia and Delaware.
We conduct what has become known as the SFC Robert H. Yancey Sr. Stand Down every year at the Cherry Hill National Guard Armory. The event has been held annually since 1996 and was formerly a three-day event at Ft. Dix. When the decision was made to make it a one-day event the venue was changed to the Cherry Hill Armory.
The event is staffed entirely by volunteers and in 2023 we had more than 200 volunteers. We hosted 128 Veterans in 2023 (13 Female and 115 male). The new Jersey National Guard and Air Guard also provide substantial manpower and of course the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJ DMAVA) provides us with the venue, military personnel, transportation for Veterans from distant counties, use of the National Guard Armory building as well as administrative support.
Each year, usually the third or fourth Friday in September, we conduct the South Jersey Stand Down in Cherry Hill. Veterans arrive at the armory and receive an initial screening by security personnel and are relieved of non-authorized paraphernalia, e.g. drugs or weapons. The Stand Down security personnel are augmented by uniformed members of the New Jersey National Guard Military Police. Any personal items taken from the Veteran are returned to them at the end of the process.
After initial screening, the Veteran proceeds to a check-in desk where he/she must provide proof of service before continuing. Non-Veterans would be turned away at this point.
Next the Veteran has access a canteen set up by the Veterans of Foreign Wars before entering the Armory. As the Veteran enters the Armory, a volunteer escort is assigned who remains with the Veteran throughout the entire process. The Veteran and his/her escort are given a checklist that lists all the services that are available. All stations on the check list must be completed. A Veteran may decline a specific service, for example COVID or flu shots, but we require that they specifically see the representative at each station for all physical and mental health related positions.
The Veterans Administration provides professional benefits screening, homeless outreach, behavioral health counseling and education counseling. Then, most important for the Veteran and our primary purpose in being comes the medical screening process. This includes blood pressure, blood tests, dental, podiatric and vision screening. A VA Psychiatrist may be in attendance as well. Urgent cases receive immediate medical care. Emergency medical assistance (via 911) is immediately available and provides ambulatory and emergency medical care as needed.
During the last few years (pre-2020), 9 Veterans were diagnosed with life threatening conditions and received the necessary treatment. Also, 37 Veterans required and received urgent medical care. Three were medically evacuated to hospitals.
The Veterans administration provides approximately 75 medical and administration personnel each year, taking up a large portion of the Armory floor. In addition, we invite approximately 30 service provider organizations that are available to the Veterans for a variety of outreach services. To alleviate overcrowding on the drill floor, the social service providers are in a separate large room near the drill floor.
Next, if the Veteran desires, a haircut is provided from professional barbers or hair stylists (if available) who volunteer their services.
Because of a major reconfiguration of the venue, lightly used clothing are no longer collected or distributed as they were pre-2020.
In the parking lot behind the drill hall, the Veteran has access to surplus military gear and clothing that Stand Down has purchased. Over the last ten years we have purchased and distributed to almost 2200 Veterans approximately 1800 winter coats, 1800 hooded sweatshirts, 1600 pairs of blue jeans, 950 backpacks and 1850 pairs of boots. In addition, socks and underwear are available to them. We also purchased and distributed hundreds of WAWA gift cards.
Prior to departure the Veteran is provided lunch. Since 2021, WAWA has donated snacks, drinks and hoagies for both volunteers and Veterans. Before this, the National Guard provided a mobile/tactical food canteen and personal that cooked and provided these services. Due to logistical concerns and efficiency benefits, we transitioned to the new format and now provide sandwiches, snacks and drinks. In 2023 Bimbo Bakeries joined us in providing morning danishes for the volunteers as well as danishes and carry bags to augment the lunch venue. The Veteran and his or her escort could eat at the tables provided in the parking lot or take his or her food with them when they depart.
Please consider volunteering to escort a Veteran or one of our other volunteer positions next year at our September 27, 2024, event at the Cherry Hill National Guard Armory on 2001 Park Boulevard.
You can register online or via a mail in flyer. Volunteer registration will open around June 2024 for the Sep 2024 event. Your support is both needed and appreciated and very important to our Veterans in need. Our web page and the associated sign in information is located here: https://www.standdownsouthjersey.org/
Financial support is provided as well through numerous private clubs, individuals and non-private organizations. On average, we need over $20,000 per year to conduct our event. These donations are very much appreciated and are critical to sustaining all the work that we do. Donations and or mail in registrations can be sent to our Post Office box at Stand Down of South Jersey, Inc., PO BOX 2612, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.
Sincere Thanks,
Jack Tennar
Chairman
Stand Down of South Jersey, Inc., PO BOX 2612, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034