Your generous support through sponsorships and donations plays a vital role in enabling us to carry out our event effectively. On average, we require over $20,000 yearly to make our event a success, and every contribution is deeply valued as it underpins the entirety of our efforts. To help us in this mission, you can kindly send your donations or mail-in registrations to our Post Office box at Stand Down of South Jersey, Inc., PO BOX 2612, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. Alternatively, email standdownsj@gmail.com and someone will contact you directly. Your assistance not only helps us financially but also uplifts our spirits and reinforces our commitment to serving our community. Thank you for being a part of our cause and standing with us!
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Letter from Stand Down Chairman Jack Tennar;
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 at the Cherry Hill Armory.
The event is staffed entirely by volunteers with typically 200 volunteers. On average we host between 160-180 Veterans each year. The new Jersey National Guard and Air Guard also provide substantial manpower and of course the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs (NJ DVA) 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 on the 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 is 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 to coffee and doughnuts 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 by professional barbers or hair stylists (if available) who volunteer their services.
Because of a major reconfiguration of the venue, lightly used clothing is 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 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 or Walmart gift cards.
Prior to departure the Veteran is provided lunch. This is comprised of a hoagie, a soft drink and a pretzel or donated snack. 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 will typically take his lunch with him or eat on or near the parking lot but tables for doing so are limited. In addition, each volunteer is also given a lunch and drink to take with him or her as they support.
Please consider volunteering to escort a Veteran or one of our other volunteer positions next year at our September 25, 2026, event at the Cherry Hill National Guard Armory on 2001 Park Boulevard.
You can register online or via mail in flyer. Volunteer registration will open around May-June 2026 for the Sep 2026 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 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