Stand down events are not just for veterans; they help anyone in the community as well.

On Saturday, Valor was back at the American Fire Company in Lansford, the rows of tables were full of boxes with shirts, jeans, socks, underwear, sneakers, boots, shoes, and hygiene items like soap, toothpaste, brushes, shampoo and deodorant.

Vice President Amy Bamford said the event is “An amazing thing when an entire community comes together to support veterans.”

“We usually have upward to 300 people at this event.”

A special part of this event was bags full of food.

If someone is homeless, they had tents and sleeping bags, and a trailer full of supplies just for the veterans. The rest of the rows of boxes of items were for veterans and residents of the community.

In another part of the fire company the kitchen set up with food, plus other resources for the community.

Valor holds Stand Down events at various locations in East Stroudsburg, Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre and Lansford.

Other resources are provided for veterans in need, such as furniture and appliances, and they hold retreats for veterans to help them in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

You can help Valor hold Stand Downs by donating money, clothing, food or your time as a volunteer to make these events possible.

This event gets 75-100 volunteers who dedicate their time.

For more information, visit Valor’s website at ValorClinic.org.