North Idaho Veterans Stand Down Event Expected to Draw 800 Vets and Families
Sandpoint, Idaho — The North Idaho Veterans Stand Down Resource Fair is set to serve an estimated 800 veterans and their families Saturday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, with services ranging from medical and legal assistance to employment help and free groceries.
More than 100 volunteers and 115 service providers will be on hand to offer counseling, benefits advocacy, haircuts, and other resources. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to veterans from all branches of service.
Event organizer Debbi Nadrchal said the Stand Down reflects a community obligation to those who served. “This should not be,” Nadrchal said of veteran hardship. “This is our way of giving back to them.”
Addressing a Growing Need in North Idaho
North Idaho is home to an estimated 20,000 veterans. Organizers say roughly 10 percent of that population faces homelessness or serious housing instability — a figure Nadrchal called unacceptable.
The Stand Down runs entirely on donations, with every member of its leadership and support staff serving as a volunteer. The organization assists veterans throughout the year, not only at the annual event.
“Anything we can do to help veterans, that’s what we’re here for,” Nadrchal said.
What Comes Next
Veterans seeking services can arrive at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds anytime during the five-hour event window. Those wishing to support the Stand Down through donations or future volunteer opportunities can contact the North Idaho Veterans Stand Down organization directly. For more North Idaho community coverage, see the 39th annual Lost in the 50s in Sandpoint and the recent lakebed cleanup hosted by the Lake Pend Oreille Inlet Community.