Free haircuts, food and info all on tap for new veterans benefits fair Sept. 5

All U.S. military veterans, their dependents or survivors will not want to miss a free admission event being planned for their benefit by the Kerr County Veterans Service Office on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Hill Country Youth Event Enter, 3785 TX-27 in Kerrville.

From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., the doors will be open to the Happy State Bank Expo Hall, where more than 70 exhibitors/organizations will be on hand to explain and connect veterans with the benefits they may have coming to them.

“We owe so much to our military veterans and their families, who have given an immeasurable amount personally in service to our great nation. They absolutely deserve any benefits they have coming to them,” said Jenna Sanchez, Kerr County Veterans Service Officer.

“When I first starting planning this event, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I just wanted to elevate our goal of connecting veterans with benefits to a higher level,” Sanchez said. “What I quickly learned, though, is that I wasn’t the only one who thought it was a good idea.”

“Dozens upon dozens of organizations have been eager to sign up as participants so that they can meet with area veterans and help connect them with the benefits and resources that will improve their lives,” she added.

To date, the list of participating exhibitors has grown to more than 70 places – all of which are focused on helping veterans with their financial, physical and emotional well-being.

“Just think – all these places will be under one roof! So, it’ll be a one-stop shopping experience for veteran benefits,” Sanchez said.

“Admission and parking are free. Plus, we will have door prizes! If you are a veteran and not sure how this event can help you, just come out! At the least, you can get a free haircut. We’ll have a limited number of hot dogs starting at 11 a.m., but there also will be a food truck available on site. Above all, you can visit with folks who are here to help you and with folks who share in common your commitment to country and dedication to service,” she said.

Among those participating will be representatives from 20 various departments within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Community Council of South Central Texas and the Texas Veterans Commission. Also: Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) from Kerr and a few surrounding counties, Meals for Vets, Peterson Health, Kerr Konnect, Gunny’s Warriors, Paws for Purple Hearts, and other home healthcare and mental health agencies.

“Whether you are a veteran having a hard time meeting rent, paying for utilities or putting food on the table or a veteran who is stable but looking for a few other veterans to connect with socially through a local club or maybe even a motorcycle association or a veteran who thinks they know what’s available to them but wants to make sure, then you won’t want to miss this event. We’ve tried to include something for literally all veterans and their family members,” Sanchez said.

There are 20 different agencies from the Veterans Health Administration that will have representatives and leaders on hand to help explain the services they offer veterans, to clarify processes and to answer questions veterans may have.

Those 20 agencies of the VHA include: Prosthetics, Kerrville VA Medical Center, Office of Public Affairs, Voluntary Service, Dietitian/Healthy Kitchen, Whole Health, Beneficiary Travel, Community Care, Enrollment & Eligibility, Environmental Health Registry, My Healthevet coordinator, Home Base Primary Care, Veteran Directed Care, Community Living Centers, Patient Advocate, Social Workers, Family Caregiver Support Program, Transportation Service, Veteran Readiness & Employment, HUD-VASH and Mental Health Services.

There are five departments from the Texas Veterans Commission who will have representatives on hand. They include TVC’s Health Care Advocate, Military Veteran Peer Network, Education, Veteran Entrepreneur Program and Claims.

Other participants include, among others: the Fischer House (South Texas Veterans Health Care System), Kerr County Indigent Health, Tri County Home Health, Home Helpers Home Care, Haven Assisted Living & Memory Care, Peterson Health, Silver Sage, Gunny's Warriors, TBI Warrior Foundation, Doyle Community Center, Endeavors, Dementia Care Advocates, the Dietert Center, San Antonio Food Bank, Meals for Vets, Kerr Konnect, American Red Cross- Hill Country Chapter, Christus Children's WIC, the Pregnancy Resource Center, Salvation Army Social Services, Schreiner University, Alamo Colleges Greater Kerrville Center, Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Alamo Area Council of Governments, VFW Post 1480, Kerr County Veterans Service Office, Gillespie County Veterans Service Office, Bandera County Veterans Service Office, Val Verde County Veterans Service Office, Community Council of South Central Texas, the Kerrville Masonic Lodge, Together with Hill Country Veterans, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Ft. Sam Houston VA Cemetery, Texas Veteran Land Board, Frank Tejeda Veterans State Home, Hill Country Preppers, Paws for Purple Hearts, Project Healing Waters, Headwaters for Heroes, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Operation Comfort, Hill Country Veterans Center/VVA VSO/ V.A. Dogs of Texas, BK Cosmo College of Cosmetology and Workforce Solutions Alamo.

For the event poster and a directory of all participants, including the number of the table they will be stationed at inside the expo hall, CLICK HERE.