Seventh Annual Stand Up For Veterans Sept. 21, 2019

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Seventh Annual Stand Up For Veterans Sept. 21, 2019

Richard Scully

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet /Michael Murphy gets his beard trimmed by Philana. Rolf’s Solon sponsored the free hair- cuts.

GlendaleDailyPlanet.com

By Bette Sharpe – Glendale Daily Planet

Michael Murphy gets his beard trimmed by Philana. Rolf’s Solon sponsored the free hair- cuts.

The smile on this veteran’s face tells the story of just how important a good-looking haircut is. Saturday was hair day at the, at Glendale Community College.

Glendale’s seventh annual "Stand Up for Veterans” held at Glendale Community College, 6000 W. Olive Ave., Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event offers multiple opportunities for veterans to access services tailored to their life experiences and needs, in a central location and has touched the lives of over 1,000 veterans since it began.

"I continue to be impressed with the success of this event, year over year. I am grateful the community continues to come together to assist our veterans and their families” said Glendale Mayor Jerry P. Weiers who initiated the Glendale Stand Up event seven years ago.

Mayor Jerry P. Weiers along with the Glendale Chamber of Commerce’s Military & Veteran Affairs Committee (MVAC), actively coordinates and promotes the event. MVAC is a local committee that is made up of city, state and federal agencies, local businesses and nonprofit partners who organize and execute the events and initiatives that benefit veterans throughout the West Valley. The primary funding for the event was a grant from the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, administered by the Sandy Coor Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1433. With the full support of Glendale Community College and their willingness to accommodate the event, Veterans can receive a multitude of services in one centralized location.

A critical service available to veterans at the event is access to court and legal services. Glendale City Court Presiding Judge Elizabeth Finn will represent 23 Arizona municipal courts where veterans with criminal and civil cases may be able to satisfy outstanding court fines and fees by performing a community service work project. Veterans with active arrest warrants on criminal misdemeanors can have those warrants quashed. Judges from other Justice Courts in Maricopa County will also be present to offer similar opportunities to reduce or drop court fines through community service. Glendale’s Community Services Department supplied transportation from Glendale Community College to Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park, where the community work service project will take place.

"Someone with a suspended driver’s license is often prevented from securing appropriate employment. We can help change the dynamic by providing on-site community restitution benefiting the city of Glendale. Almost all the 23 city courts I represent, and the justice courts will honor our community service to eliminate fines allowing a person to obtain a driver’s license and hopefully a great job’//” said Judge Finn.

The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division was there Saturday to make recommendations to veterans about the requirements for reinstatement of their driving privileges and other MVD business. Additionally, Glendale’s Prosecutors Office and members of the State Bar of Arizona offered free consultations for civil matters while attorneys from the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office will be available for felony matters.

The Glendale Community College’s Veteran Services Center will be open during the event. The center provides veteran and military students and their families one-on-one help with enrolling in college and staying on the path of success. The VSC offers services including admissions, financial aid, advisement, career services, referrals and specific military-related resources.

"The annual Stand Up for Veterans is an important program and we are proud to partner with the city of Glendale. We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans which is why GCC is dedicated to serving those who have served us - through the Stand up for Veterans event, along with the assistance our Veterans Services Center provides, on a daily basis,” said Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz, President Glendale Community College.

According to a press release, at least 40 employers, presently hiring, would be on-site with representatives and interviewers and over 60 veterans service organizations were also available offering free information about their services. Veterans can apply for health care and other benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and social service agencies. The city of Glendale Community Action Program (CAP) was also in attendance as they regularly aid veterans in need. Nonprofit organizations often help with family and personal matters.

The always popular free haircuts for participants (and at least one beard trim) were courtesy of Rolfs Salon. Republic Services generously served lunch to all attendees in their trademark sanitation truck style barbecue grill.

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