Theft fails to halt Stand Down

Photo by Michael Woodward

SEEKING A COAT: Homeless veteran Richard Zinser, 70, who served in the Army from 1966 to 1967, attended the Stand Down seeking a warm coat.

Volunteers from North Valley Veterans Stand Down were scrambling Friday to find replacements for $26,000 worth of blankets, cots, tents and coats intended for homeless veterans. The items had reportedly been stolen from a locked storage unit just prior to the annual three-day event at the Shasta District Fair grounds in Anderson.

The Stand Down provides food, shelter, health check-ups and financial assistance for military veterans. Last year the event assisted 300 area veterans, some of whom were homeless.

Event organizers discovered the theft Wednesday night when they arrived at Anderson Mini RV and Boat Storage on Ravenwood Ave. The door to the unit was open when they arrived.The theft must have occurred within the last two weeks, Streetman told Anderson Police Department Detective Regina Collier.

Collier urged anyone with information about the theft to contact APD at 378-6600.

Beyond the loss of 1,500 blankets, 100 Navy peacoats, 50 cots, 10 canopies, stolen property also included office supplies and items needed to host the event.

"We had brand new items to give out," Stand Down coordinator Dale Streetman said.

Beyond giving their effort and time, volunteers have brought in from home their own extension cords, clothing, and even sledgehammers to pound stakes for tents, Streetman said.

Also, the Stand Down organization in Marysville donated 200 sleeping bags. By the end of the weekend, more than 100 people donated cash, towels, clothing, new socks and underwear, Streetman said.

"The volunteers and different schools that came in and helped were an absolute godsend," Streetman said.

The Stand Down provided for over 300 veterans from noon on Friday to noon on Sunday. In that time, veterans received shelter, food, clothing, legal services, social services assistance, and even post-traumatic stress disorder counseling - all under the watch of 24-hour security.

One homeless Army veteran, Richard Zinser, 70, said he never misses a Stand Down for the opportunity to meet and enjoy the company of other veterans. Although he said he was also looking for a warm coat.

"I need a heavy coat. I'm not used to being on the street every night. When you get to my age, you get cold easily," Zinzer commented.

Another homeless veteran, Robert Brigeman, 58, was experiencing his first visit to a Stand Down.

"You see a lot of different vets from different periods of time, have food and share memories," Brigeman said. "It's like a vacation for me - a place to stay for three days, a sleeping bag and everyone's concerned."

To donate to the North Valley Stand Down Association call 209-4306.