Glendale event helps veterans find jobs, benefits, more

One veteran got a job; another finished his community-service hours; and a third veteran walked out with her driver's license reinstated. Glendale’s Stand Up for Veterans — a combination jobs and benefits fair, legal clinic and more — helped hundreds of veterans in Arizona last year, and in its fourth year, on Saturday, Sept. 24, it will do more of the same.

The fourth annual Stand Up for Veterans event will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Glendale Community College Student Union. It is free to veterans and their families. More than 400 veterans are expected to attend, the largest number ever, said Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, who created the event.

“More than 60 employers will be at the event, ready to hire veterans on the spot,” Weiers said. Court officials and attorneys will help them with legal issues. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs counselors will help them apply for health care and other benefits.

“We are not giving handouts here,” Weiers said. “We are going to allow veterans to get back on their feet.”

Veterans can walk out with certain warrants exonerated, community service completed, their driver's licenses reinstated and new jobs all in one day, said Elizabeth Finn, presiding judge for Glendale City Court.

“Nothing is more gratifying than seeing a veteran walk out with a driver’s license reinstated,” Finn said.

For those who have had trouble with the law, Glendale’s Community Services Department is providing transportation from Glendale to Sahuaro Ranch Park, where veterans will do a work-service project for their community service, Finn said. Veterans unable to do physical labor will write letters to active members of the military.

In addition, more than 100 employers and service organizations will offer amenities, Weiers said. Rolfs Salon, which has locations all over the Valley, will give free haircuts at the Glendale event. Lunch will be free for the veterans and their families. Veterans will receive help writing resumes and filling out applications; they will also learn about higher-educational opportunities at GCC.

VFW Post 1433 in Glendale is the non-profit sponsor of the event. Ed Besta, a retired Air Force major, said he and other members of the VFW are excited about giving back to fellow veterans. “The event is consistent with the VFW national mantra, ‘No One Does More for Veterans,’” said Besta, immediate past commander of VFW Post 1433.

The event will also have its moments of celebration. When a veteran is hired, a bell in the center of the room will ring.

Weiers became interested in veterans when he chaired the Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee for the Arizona Legislature and heard about unmet needs of veterans.

The idea has caught on elsewhere. Weiers said cities across the nation have contacted his team in Glendale asking advice in organizing similar events for vets.

Weiers said his goal is to have every city in Arizona do an event like this at different times throughout the year.

“I want this to continue long after I am gone,” Weiers said. “This is not for me; it is for the veterans.”