Stand Down of South Jersey, Inc. needs your help!
Stand Down of South Jersey is a 501 (c)(3) charity organized to provide outreach, medical screening, clothing and lunch for homeless and at-risk veterans in the ten southern counties of New Jersey.
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 is staffed entirely by volunteers and in 2024 we had more than 200 volunteers. We hosted 160 Veterans in 2024 (24 Female and 136 male). The new Jersey National Guard provides the building and personnel each year for set up and building security. The New Jersey 177th Air Guard provides medical personnel to augment the nearly 75 Veterans Administration personnel. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJ DMAVA) provides us with transportation for veterans from Mercer County, 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 Event. 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 the Veteran must provide proof of service before he/she continues. Non-Veterans would be turned away at this point.
Next the Veteran may 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 is in attendance. Urgent cases receive immediate medical care. Emergency medical assistance (via 911) is immediately available and provides ambulatory and emergency medical care if needed.
The Veterans administration provides approximately 75 medical and administration personnel each year. They take up a large portion of the armory floor. In addition, we invite approximately 30 service provider organizations that provide a host of veteran outreach services. To alleviate overcrowding on the drill floor, the service provider organizations 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.
In the parking lot behind the drill hall, the Veteran has access to surplus military gear and clothing that Stand Down has purchased. Since 2010, we have provided our services to over 2600 qualified veterans attending the event. Our clothing distribution includes winter coats, hooded sweatshirts, blue jeans, duffle bags, boots walking shoes. In addition, socks and underwear are available to them. Lastly, we purchase and distribute gift cards to each client.
Prior to departure the Veteran is provided lunch. Since 2021, WAWA has donated snacks, drinks and hoagies to both volunteers and veterans. Before this, the National Guard provided a mobile/tactical food canteen and personnel that cooked and provided these services. Due to logistical concerns and efficiency benefits, we have 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 and augmentation to the lunch venue. They also provided carry bags that proved very useful for veterans carrying their lunches. The Veteran and his or her escort could dine 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 26, 2025, event at the Cherry Hill National Guard Armory on 2001 Park Boulevard.
Note you can register online or via mailed signup sheets available on the web site. Volunteer registration will open around June 2025 for next year. 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 spend over $10-20,000 per year to conduct our event. These donations are very much appreciated and are critical to sustaining the work that we attempt to 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