Month: July 2025

Posted on

Stand Down 2025: Veterans Resource & Benefits Fair – Lewiston, ID

Stand Down

Veterans and Families: You’re Invited to the 2025 Stand Down in Lewiston, Idaho!

Join us on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, for the Stand Down Resource, Health, and Benefits Fair at Clearwater River Casino, located at 17500 Nez Perce Road, Lewiston, ID 83501.

This important community event is dedicated to supporting all Veterans and their families, offering access to essential services and information including:

  • VA and military benefits assistance

  • Health screenings and wellness services

  • Resource booths from veteran-friendly providers

  • Food, beverages, and community connection

Admission is FREE with Military ID, VA ID, or DD214. All who served are welcome.

✅ Free transportation is provided to Veterans by Appaloosa Express Transit via regular bus routes to and from the event.

Contact Information:
📞 Mary Taylor: 208-621-4738 | ✉️ mtaylor@nezperce.org
📞 Jerica Garcia: 208-255-1841 | ✉️ j.garcia@cap4action.org

Come connect with fellow Veterans, get the support you deserve, and enjoy a day of resources, care, and community.

Posted on

Join the 2025 Fall Harvest Carnival Honoring Our Veterans – Post Falls, ID

🎃🍂 Celebrate the Season and Our Veterans at the 2025 Fall Harvest Carnival! 🍂🎃

We’re inviting the community to join us for the Fall Harvest Carnival on Saturday, September 20th, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the Idaho State Veterans Home – Post Falls. This annual event honors our Veterans with a family-friendly fall celebration filled with laughter, music, and community spirit.

The goal? To “leaf” no space empty! The entire front parking lot will be transformed into a festive carnival packed with:

  • 🎪 Veteran-supportive booths

  • 🧁 Soft, seasonal sugar-free treats

  • ☕ Warm fall beverages

  • 🎯 Carnival games & fun prizes

  • 🐐 Petting zoos

  • 🎶 Live music & dance performances

  • 🚚 Food trucks

  • 🍁 Creative, fall-themed activities for all ages

Booth Setup: Begins at 12:00 PM. All booths must be fully ready by 1:00 PM.
Location: Idaho State Veterans Home – Post Falls, 590 S. Pleasant View Road, Post Falls, ID
Contact: Kady Aamot, Activities & Volunteer Coordinator
📞 (208) 415-3436
📧 Kady.Aamot@veterans.idaho.gov

👉 If you or your group would like to host a booth, bring your tent, table, chairs, fall decorations (pumpkins, hay bales, colorful leaves), and volunteers to help make this event magical for our Veterans.

In case of rain, the fun moves indoors to the Activity Room!

Let’s make this a fall festival to remember. Your participation brings joy, gratitude, and community spirit to those who have served. See you there! 🍁💛

Posted on

2025 VA Mental Health Summit – Improving Access to Care

Join the 2025 Virtual Mental Health Summit Hosted by Boise VA Medical Center

Date: September 17, 2025
Location: Virtual via WebEx
Theme: Mental Health Access
Host: Boise VA Medical Center
Contact: Joshua.Bode@va.gov

September is National Recovery Month, and the Boise VA Medical Center is inviting community members, healthcare professionals, and organizations to participate in its 2025 Virtual Mental Health Summit. This year’s theme—“Mental Health Access”—addresses one of the most critical challenges facing Veterans and their families today.

Purpose of the Summit

The Mental Health Summit serves as a bridge between the VA and community stakeholders, uniting efforts to improve mental health services for Veterans and their families across Idaho and beyond. By fostering collaboration and dialogue, this event aims to:

  • Expand access to care

  • Raise awareness about recovery resources

  • Address the evolving needs of Veterans

  • Strengthen VA-community partnerships

Full Agenda

🕣 8:30–9:00 AM – Registration
🕘 9:00–9:30 AM – Welcome: National Recovery and Suicide Prevention Month
Speaker: Dr. Caroll Berndt, Associate Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health, Boise VAMC

🕤 9:30–11:30 AM – Keynote: Accessing Mental Health Services in VA Healthcare
Speaker: Joshua Bode, LCSW, Assistant Chief of Behavioral Health

🍽 11:30–1:00 PM – Lunch & Networking

🕐 1:00–2:00 PM – Managing Chronic Substance Abuse
Speaker: Tom Hogan, LCSW, Social Work Supervisor

🕑 2:00–2:15 PM – Break & Networking

🕝 2:15–3:15 PM – Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Resource Expansion
Speaker: Kirk Stadelmeyer, LCSW, Social Work Supervisor

🕞 3:15–3:30 PM – Closing Remarks & Q&A
Speaker: Dr. Caroll Berndt

How to Attend

This is a free virtual event open to community partners, health professionals, and anyone dedicated to supporting Veteran mental health. The event will be hosted via WebEx.

🔗 WebEx Link:
Email: Joshua.Bode@va.gov for link

📧 RSVP or Questions?
Email: Joshua.Bode@va.gov

Why You Should Attend

  • Stay up to date with Veteran mental health services

  • Learn from experienced VA social workers and clinicians

  • Expand your network with professionals in behavioral health

  • Take part in the national conversation on suicide prevention and recovery

Let’s unite for Veteran wellness. Mark your calendar for September 17, 2025—and join us in strengthening access to mental healthcare in our communities.

Posted on

1st Annual Elk’s BBQ in Jerome: A Community Gathering for Veterans and Families

Get ready for a heartwarming afternoon of good food and great company at the 1st Annual Elk’s BBQ, happening Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Snake River Elk’s Lodge #2807 in Jerome, Idaho.

This free community BBQ is open to all veterans, their families, survivors, and Gold Star families. It’s a celebration of service, community, and connection—served up with classic BBQ, sides, and drinks.

Enjoy:

  • Delicious barbecue grilled fresh

  • Hearty sides and refreshments

  • An opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow veterans and supporters

  • A family-friendly atmosphere filled with gratitude and respect

📍 Location: Snake River Elk’s Lodge #2807, 412 East 200 South, Jerome, ID
🗓 Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or simply someone who wants to show appreciation, this event is the perfect way to connect and enjoy a summer afternoon together.

Posted on

Veteran Resource Symposium: Free Educational Event for Veterans and Their Families

Veteran Resource Symposium

Veterans, spouses, and caregivers—mark your calendars for a free educational event you won’t want to miss. On Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, join Hospice of North Idaho and community partners for the Veteran Resource Symposium, held to empower, inform, and support those who’ve served.

This symposium will take place in North Idaho and is open to all veterans and their families. Hear from expert speakers on a wide range of critical topics, including:

  • End-of-life care planning

  • Grief support services

  • Medicare and VA benefits

  • Veteran elder law

  • Document preparation and planning

Learn how to plan ahead with confidence and gain access to the resources you’ve earned. This event is designed to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions for the future.

Breakfast and refreshments will be served, and while the event is completely free, donations are appreciated.

🗓 Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: North Idaho (Full location details available at registration)
📞 To Register: Call (208) 772-7994 or visit www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org/news

This event is made possible by Hospice of North Idaho, Community Palliative Care, and auxiliary partners including the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and Marine Corps League Auxiliary.

Posted on

Honoring a Hero: 2025 Sergeant First Class Dustin Ard Commemorative Steel Competition

On Saturday, August 24, 2025, marksmen from across the region will gather at Fernan Rod & Gun Club in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for a powerful tribute and exciting challenge — the Sergeant First Class Dustin Ard Commemorative Steel Competition.

This annual event honors SFC Dustin Ard, a fallen hero from the U.S. Army Special Forces, and supports the Special Forces Brotherhood and local veteran communities.

Presented by the Special Forces Association Chapter XLIII (Post Falls), the event runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and features a challenging steel shooting course. Entry is $100 per participant, with registration limited to 100 shooters — and a prize table you won’t want to miss!

Whether you’re competing or simply want to show your support, this day is a meaningful opportunity to give back and celebrate the courage, dedication, and legacy of our Special Forces heroes.

📍 Location: Fernan Rod & Gun Club, Coeur d’Alene, ID
🎯 Entry Fee: $100 (Limited to 100 shooters)
📅 Date & Time: Saturday, August 24, 2025, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🔗 Register: www.sfa43.org/events/dacsc
📧 Contact: contact@sfa43.org

Let’s stand together in memory of SFC Dustin Ard — and help support the brave warriors who continue his mission.