The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 30 will host its 21st annual Veterans Appreciation Outreach Picnic on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) campus. Open to veterans, their families, and supporters, the event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features free food, local vendors, a bike rally, live music, and a poker run.
This community-wide gathering has grown substantially since its inception as a small meeting of local veterans and their families. Last year, approximately 800 attendees participated in the event, according to Dan Hall, commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 30. Hall, who is also involved in Veteran Suicide Awareness and Prevention, emphasized that the picnic was created to give veterans an opportunity to connect with one another and access resources.
Among this year’s highlights is a poker run that will start at ASUMH and end at a local restaurant, where prizes will be awarded for the best and worst hands. Entry fees are $20 for the first hand and $10 for additional hands. Proceeds from the run will benefit U.S. Veterans Outreach.
The event serves as a bridge to essential Veterans Affairs services. VA mobile units will be on-site to assist with services like vaccinations, identification cards, and claim support. Hall noted that these services aim to help more veterans navigate the VA system.
Hall attributed much of the program’s success to the strong involvement of the local community, which has supported efforts to connect veterans with resources, raise awareness about suicide prevention, and honor their service.
For more information about Disabled American Veterans Chapter 30, visit their website.