Cityville is gearing up for a meaningful celebration of its veterans with the upcoming Thank-a-Vet Week, which will take place from November 11 through November 15. Organized by AMEN House, the event aims to express gratitude towards veterans and provide them with essential services.
Beginning on November 12, the Veterans Administration (VA) will set up a mobile unit in the AMEN House parking lot. This service will allow veterans, particularly unsheltered individuals, to access various resources, including housing assistance and medical care. As Serena Woods, a social worker at AMEN House, noted, “the VA is not as hard as it used to be” and aims to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
The mobile unit will primarily focus on collecting information and determining specific veterans’ needs on the first day of its visit. The following day, it will return to provide medical and mental health services. “Veterans can reach out, and there is help out there,” Woods emphasized.
In addition to VA services, representatives from the Kentucky Career Center and Bluegrass Community Technical College will be available to assist veterans in reentering the workforce or pursuing new career paths. “They have earned the right to have some free education,” Woods stated, underscoring the importance of supporting veterans through vocational opportunities.
The event schedule includes the VA mobile unit on November 12 and 13, followed by the Kentucky Career Center on November 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and November 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. The local police department and American Legion Post 24 will also participate to extend their support.
Community members are encouraged to contribute to this initiative by donating items that can aid veterans in their daily lives. Simple gifts such as thank-you cards, winter clothing items like hats and gloves, as well as hygiene products, are all welcome. “Any kind of little thank-you that we could give out to our veterans would be wonderful,” Woods added.
As winter approaches, the demand for warm clothing and hygiene products remains high. The AMEN House is accepting monetary donations, food, clothing, and crafts to express gratitude towards those who have served. Volunteers are also invited to assist during the week, allowing the community to actively participate in honoring veterans.
Woods encourages volunteers of all ages to engage in this essential work, stating, “We ask that young and old celebrate our veterans’ commitment to serve and protect.” With the support of the local community, Thank-a-Vet Week promises to be a significant event for Cityville veterans.
