On Wednesday, June 11, veterans throughout the Region were invited to the VNA Hospice Northwest Indiana (NWI)’s Military Stand Down in Porter County. The event took place at the Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso.
Alexandra Szopinski, volunteer coordinator and We Honor Veterans coordinator, believes this is a great way for the VNA Hospice NWI to give back to the veterans who gave their all for this country.
“This is always such a meaningful event for the veterans to not only have a place where they can socialize with one another, but also access resources that they may not know are available to them,” Szopinski said. “It’s also an opportunity for us to recognize and thank them for their service.”
This is the fourth annual stand down event put on by VNA Hospice NWI. Szopinski, who attended for the first time at last year’s event, noticed how valuable these resources were to the veterans and got a chance to see some familiar faces again this year.
“A lot of our veterans in the community are truly under-resourced,” Szopinski said. “A lot of veterans are unhoused and lack access to the things that everyone else takes for granted. It’s our mission to provide access to the resources they can benefit from, and this is a step in the right direction.”
More than 50 vendors filled the Porter County Expo Center, providing the veterans with information, prizes, and other unique opportunities.
“We’re giving out so many meaningful items that the veterans can use and appreciate,” Szopinski said. “We have Catholic Charities and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana giving out whole bags to make tacos, flowers, and reading glasses. The veterans get a meal from our ladies with the Post 260 auxiliary, and we have a number of nonprofits represented here today who help with members of our community.”
One supporter of this stand down event is Bernadette Esparza, who is with the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #260 in Portage. Esparza was one of the many volunteers at the event who provided food to the veterans which was donated to the Post 260 auxiliary.
“We’ve been doing this for a couple of years now,” Esparza said. “We come here every year and help out in whatever way they need us to assist. We do it for the veterans. It’s very rewarding for us to see so many of them come out to an event like this and get the word out for the ones who might not have known that we exist.”
Bob Franko, president and CEO of VNA Hospice NWI, appreciates the contributions that these vendors have made to consistently make this a successful event.
“It’s funny because we barely even have to ask them anymore. Our vendors are always ready to help out,” Franko said. “They always respond with, ‘Where, when, and what else can we do?’ It’s a wonderful group of people to work with, and everybody is here for the same purpose of supporting the veterans.”
While a stand down event can create a sense of gratitude for the veterans, it can be equally as emotional. For Franko and VNA Hospice NWI, making a positive difference for the veterans means the world to them and inspires their team to keep bringing this tradition back every year.
“This is one tiny speck of gratitude that we can do in comparison to everything that these veterans had given us,” Franko said. “For us to be the platform where all of these vendors and communities come together to figure out ways to support the veterans is even better. It’s a privilege for us to do this with the community of vendors and other supporters helping us along the way. If we can even make one person’s life here a little bit better, this day becomes a total success for us.”
The event opened with the presentation of the colors. VNA Hospice NWI also did a raffle drawing to give away prizes such as a blanket, a cup, and a plaque.
For more information on VNA Hospice Northwest Indiana, you can visit vnanwi.org.
