Date Set for County’s Next “Veterans Night Out” Event
May 16, 2012
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 843-8858
County Executive
Gathering Will Connect Local Veterans to Services From Government, Community
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced that the county will host its second “Veterans Night Out,” in May, an event that connects more local veterans to the government and community services they can access after returning home from service. The event will take place at the Alliant Energy Center’s Exhibition Hall from 2pm to 8pm on Wednesday, May 23rd – days before Memorial Day.
“’Veterans Night Out’ has helped many local veterans and their families connect with the benefits they deserve after their service to our country,” said Parisi. “It’s the place to be if you’re a local veteran who wants to learn more about your benefits, local employment opportunities, or if you just want to connect with other veterans.”
The event will allow Dane County veterans to meet with Dane County Veterans Service office staff to learn more about, and sign up for, benefits they receive after their service. Veterans can also meet with representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the Madison VA Hospital; educational institutions, community partners looking to hire veterans, as well as financial planning organizations and VA home mortgage lenders. Information on how to attend can be found below.
“’Veterans Night Out’ is Dane County’s way of giving veterans a one-stop shop to learn about what’s new with the County’s Veterans Services Office, and gain access to our 50 community partners and the tangible resources they can provide,” said Dane County Veterans Service Officer Sgt. BJ Ganem. “With so many benefits available getting what you need can be daunting. We’re here to help.”
Community partners in the event include Madison College , University of Wisconsin - Madison, The Wisconsin Small Business Association, Cardinal Stritch University, the Madison VA Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project, Badger Honor Flight, the Wounded Warrior Regiment of the Marine Corps, AW2, American Legion, VFW, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and many more.
“As a nurse at the VA hospital I see the importance of helping veterans in our community utilize all the resources available to them,” said Dane County Supervisor and member of the county Veterans Commission, Erika Hotchkiss. “As more of those serving return home it becomes more and more important for cooperation between the public and private sector in providing the important resources needed to transition into civilian life.”
If you would like to attend, or if you are an organization that serves veterans and would like to participate in the event, please contact VSO Ganem at Ganem.william@countyofdane.com or at 608-266-4158.
Dane County’s Office of Veterans Services is prepared to help the increasing numbers of veterans returning home, and already at home. From 2007 to 2010, nearly 43 percent of the veterans who signed up for services through the county are veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans looking to connect with the county’s Veterans Services office are encouraged to call (608) 266-4158, or visit online at www.danevets.com.
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