Gratitude in action: Vets get help at action center

Woody Woodsum of Coal Valley, Illinois, went to a Quad Cities Veterans Experience Action Center event a few years ago and got some great help.  During that event, which is a one-stop shop for many veterans’ services, the area man was able to get assistance through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This year, […]

Woody Woodsum of Coal Valley, Illinois, went to a Quad Cities Veterans Experience Action Center event a few years ago and got some great help.  During that event, which is a one-stop shop for many veterans’ services, the area man was able to get assistance through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This year, Mr. Woodsum was a volunteer in an effort to pay back that kindness and help others getting a helping hand. “I’m here because I want to make sure my brothers and sisters are getting the help they need. … This is a great place to get that help,” said Mr. Woodsum on Friday, June 27, during the first day of the third annual Quas Cities Veterans Experience Action Center held at Black Hawk College, Building 3, 6600 34th Ave., Moline.

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That event attracted about 600 area military veterans on Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28. The collaborative event brought together the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, UnityPoint Health and the Quad Cities Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB), as well as numerous local, state and community partners to deliver real-time support for veterans, transitioning military members, spouses and caregivers. Additional community support for the event was provided by Arconic, Eaton, John Deere, St. Ambrose University, Sedona Technologies Government Services, UnityPoint Health Freedom Run and UnityPoint Health. Services offered during the two days included career assistance workshops, health screenings, claims assistance from the Veterans Benefits Administration, enrollment and support through the Veterans Health Administration, including women’s health and caregiver services, free haircuts, visits from service animals and much more.

Delivering help to vets

“There are a lot of benefits they don’t know about. … Veterans have done a lot for us, so we need to do a lot for them,” said Sherri Behr DeVrieze, military program coordinator at UnityPoint Health – Trinity and the CVEB co-chair.  Burl Randolph, Jr., CVEB co-chair and retired Army officer, said the two-day event was all about delivering help to the vets. “When veterans walk through those doors, we want them to know they’re not alone. This event brings the right people to the table so we can deliver the right help, right away. We’re here to listen, to serve and to show our gratitude in action,” he said in a statement. Many of those benefits were showcased at the dozens of tables set up at the college on Friday and Saturday. Joe Wesenberg was in charge of the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 776 table. Vets who visited that table were told about some activities members of the chapter do in the community. They included buying food baskets for vets in need during the holidays, providing emergency home repairs for vets in need, providing transportation, food, clothing and lodging for veterans, and much more. “I’m also telling the guys who visit me to visit all of these tables around here. They might find something that will help them,” he added.

Outreach available

One of those tables near the Chapter 776 table was the Quad City Veterans Outreach Center table. That nonprofit group, based at 4515 N. Fairmount St., Davenport.  provides services including a food pantry, help with job placement, assistance with housing, counseling and much more. “It’s very important for us to be here today. … The more veterans we reach out to, the more vets we can help,” said Lola Van DeWalle, founder of the outreach center, as she provided information to vets at her table on Friday. Some of the groups at other tables included UnityPoint Health, the Association of the U.S. Army, and groups focusing on using animals to help people in need including UnityPoint Health Caring Canines. That program uses specially trained and qualified dogs to provide an opportunity for patients to benefit from pet therapy through interaction.  Kathy Gedye and her seven-year-old goldendoodle dog named Maggie, were two of the most popular attractions at the veterans on Friday. Ms. Gedye led Maggie around Building 3 at Black Hawk College for several hours on Friday. During that time,  Maggie got a lot of attention and pats on the head.  “She loves meeting people. That tail is wagging all the time,” said Ms. Gedye. She added that Friday’s event was a great way to show local vets the Caring Canines program is available and can help. “Some of the veterans are lonely. We want them to know we are here for them,” she said. Another animal-centered organization at Friday’s event was Sundance for Our Soldiers. That nonprofit, based in Kewanee, Illinois, uses horses as therapy animals to help vets, their family members and others suffering from stress. Executive Director Megan Sundeen brought two horses with her on Friday. They were fenced off in a small area outside of Building 3 on Friday and were the center of attention for many who came out to visit with and pet the horses. Ms. Sundeen said horses are great therapy animals because they are sensitive to human emotions, can read body language and have a calming presence. “This is really a game-changer in the mental health field,” she added about the Sundance program. Whether it was horses helping people, help getting services through the VA, getting a job or help in other areas, Ms. DeVrieze said she hoped the two-day event served as a place where area vets could get a helping hand.  “We hope they have a positive experience today and they are treated fairly,” she added.