Bay Pines VA, Local Community Partner for Annual Homeless Stand Down for Veterans
PRESS RELEASE
April 9, 2024
Bay Pines , FL — Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, along with community partners and volunteers, supported more than 430 Veterans during the organization’s annual Homeless Stand Down for Veterans, at the the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center, April 6.
“One of the reasons this event continues to be successful is the commitment from our services and the partnerships we have with so many community partners,” said Bay Pines VA Director/CEO Paul M. Russo. “Every year I am amazed at the turnout, and it’s an absolute honor to be part of a community who embraces the honor of serving America’s Veterans.”
This year, more than 430 Veterans received services at the stand down, including: medical care, toiletries, clothing items, meals, benefits and housing information, employment assistance, veterinarian services, and DMV services.
“Providing the soonest and best healthcare to eligible Veterans, in addition to serving their whole health needs, has always been the goal of the stand down, and I believe we knocked it out of the park,” added Russo. “I want to offer my thanks to every organization, including the St. Petersburg Regional VBA Office and the Bay Pines Cemetery, whose partnership with us on the same campus gives Veterans a one-stop shop for all VA-related matters.”
Special thanks to the following community partners for their support to this year’s event:
- Bay Area Legal Services
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Stetson University
- Gulf Coast Legal Services
- Suncoast Safety Council
- Florida Justice Center
- Florida Department of Health (DOH)
- Empath Health
- Humana
- Your Care Rep
- Simply Healthcare
- National Cemetery Administration
- Social Security Administration
- Pinellas County Government
- Disabled American Veterans Department of Florida
- The Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- West Care Gulf Coast - Florida
- Pinellas County Housing Authority
- St Petersburg Housing Authority
- Homeless Leadership Alliance
- One Community Now
- Career Source Pinellas
- Daystar Life Center
- 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares
- Pinellas County Animal Services
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Taxpayer Advocate Service (IRS)
- Supervisor or Election
- Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
- Disability Achievement Center
- Wounded Veterans Relief Fund
- Isaiah's Place
- Turning Point of Tampa
- Boley Centers, Inc.
- Homeless Empowerment Program
- Volunteers of America
- Disability Achievement Center
- St.Pete College
- VoteRiders
- American Legion Post 273 Madeira Beach
- American Red Cross
- Elks Lodge #1224 Holiday Isles
- Holiday Isles Elks #1912
- The Vfw Post 4364
- Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary
- American Legion Auxiliary #275
- The American Legion, Department of Florida
- Wounded Veterans Relief Fund
- Turning Point of Tampa
- White Sands Treatment Center Tampa
- Riverside Recovery of Tampa
- Windmoor Behavioral Healthcare of Clearwater
- Clearwater Vet Center
- PTSD Foundation of America
- AmVets Post 7467
- Hardcore Patriots Motorcycle Association
- Daughters of the American Revolution – Dunedin
- Restored To Dream
- Knights of Columbus
- American Legion Post 125
- St Pete Military Officer Association
For additional information on this release or future coverage opportunities: Contact Bay Pines VA Healthcare System’s Public Affairs Officer Rob Frazier at Robert.Frazier1@va.gov or 727-317-8120. See the latest news, stories, and Veteran health care information available on our official website or official social media accounts.
Medina Ayala-Lo, Public Affairs Specialist
