Vietnam War Commemoration March 29 at the Sarasota National Cemetary



"About 1,400 Vietnam veterans received a Vietnam War Veterans pin during the Vietnam War 50th Commemoration program Tuesday at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Officially known as “The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration,” 50-year observances have been underway since 2012, and nearly 10,000 “Commemorative Partners,” from chain stores to civic groups and clubs, have sponsored more than 5,000 related events. Engraved on the back of each medallion featuring an eagle's head framed by stars and stripes is a simple message: “A Grateful Nation Honors You.”


Click to read the article in the Herald Tribune





Stand Down for Homeless Veterans in Sarasota April 16, 2016

Stand Downs
Stand Downs are typically one- to three-day events providing supplies and services to homeless Veterans, such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings and VA Social Security benefits counseling. Veterans can also receive referrals to other assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling. They are collaborative events, coordinated between local VA Medical Centers, other government agencies and community-based homeless service providers.


April 16, 2016CSarasotaFLJennifer Sprague(727) 398-6661 x 17552

http://www.va.gov/homeless/events.asp




Homeless Veterans Invited to 2016 ‘Stand Down’ Event

Sarasota, Florida –– Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast, Inc. (JFCS) along with Sarasota County, the City of Sarasota and other partner organizations are pleased to invite local homeless veterans to the 2016 “Stand Down” to be held 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 16, 2016.

The “Stand Down” will be held in Sarasota at the William L. Little Health and Human Services Center (Health Department), 2200 Ringling Blvd. and at the Payne Park Auditorium, a short walk away.


 The event is free and veterans will be able to ride free on Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) and Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) busses by identifying themselves as veterans.

The “Stand Down” event helps homeless veterans who are not already receiving services to access U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and other services in a one-stop setting. They can also speak with representatives of local organizations providing mental health and substance-abuse treatment, and legal and employment services for information and referrals. Housing assistance will also be available for homeless veterans.

A team of barbers, hair stylists and nail technicians from Manatee Technical Institute will be on hand to offer haircuts and manicures. Nonperishable food items, personal-care items and other items also will be provided. The Salvation Army will provide food and refreshments.

Partner organizations for this event include Community Foundation of Sarasota County, JFCS of the Suncoast, Florida Veterans for Common Sense, Department of Veterans Affairs/Bay Pines Healthcare Services, The Salvation Army (Manatee, Sarasota, Venice), All Faiths Food Bank, Manatee Technical Institute, the City of Sarasota, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County, Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, and Sarasota County Government.


Additional partners include Coastal Behavioral Healthcare, Goodwill Manasota, United Way 2-1-1 Manasota, the Florida Department of Children and Families, Legal Aid of Manasota, 12th Circuit Public Defender, National Veterans Homeless Support Inc., Harvest House, Mental Health Community Centers, Throne of Grace Life Center, First Step of Sarasota, Yale Club of the Suncoast, Temple Sinai, Centerstone of Florida, Turning Points, and Resurrection House. Funding for this event is provided in part by the U.S. Department of Labor, and Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.

About JFCS
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast, Inc. (JFCS) is a fully accredited, community-based social service organization that delivers counseling, prevention, intervention, outreach and education programs on a secular, non-denominational basis. JFCS serves children, adults, families, seniors, and veterans living in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties of Florida. To learn more, visit

  www.JFCS-Cares.org


Luncheon Photos - March 18, 2016




Happy  Birthday 























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St Patrick's Day Thursday March 17 at 6:00 PM at Jon and Mary Gordon's






























Please RSVP with your acceptance and your dish
preference to Mary by March 10th. Call 923-2302 or
email JMKPL@aol.com.



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