CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Veterans Stand Down | Hammers, nails and saws only some of the helpful tools distributed Saturday

The Wenatchee World - 8/5/2018

Aug. 04--WENATCHEE -- David Rodriguez, a Navy Seabee from 1979 to 1982, found a skill saw, a handsaw and a toolbox Saturday at the Tools4Troops station at the 2018 Wenatchee Military Veterans Stand Down.

"I needed one of these to do a shelf inside the house," he said of the handsaw. "I didn't want to borrow one, so I waited," he said.

U.S. Navy veteran (1967 to 1987) Mike O'Connor of Waterville picked up an electric chainsaw.

"I got bushes at home that need trimmed. I've got a jungle in the backyard," he said.

O'Connor has attended the Stand Down for several years. He said the Tools4Troops was a good addition to the annual event at the Wenatchee National Guard Armory.

Rodriguez agreed.

"It's awesome," he said.

Leonard Muhr of Ellensburg is the local Tools4Troops representative. He brought about 1,000 tools to give away at Saturday's event.

"Basically we get donated tools and freely distribute them to veterans," he said. "They can get any tool I have that will help them them work or at home, so they can be more productive."

The nonprofit is based in Oregon, where Muhr started volunteering four years ago. He moved to Ellensburg last year where he established a chapter to help reach veterans in this region.

"This is my first time solo," he said. "I'm a veteran myself and a lot of these organizations helped me. Now that I'm retired, this is my way of giving back."

The items Muhr was handing out were only some of the "tools" available to veterans Saturday.

The Stand Down is open all honorably discharged vets and their families, with an emphasis on outreach to homeless and at-risk vets. It offered everything from advice from Veterans Administration workers on how to fill out benefits paperwork, to clothing, supplies, medical and dental care, haircuts, pedicures and acupuncture. It also included a barbecue lunch and a box of food for those who needed it.

The event has been going on several years. This is the second year under the direction of NCW Vets Serving Vets, a nonprofit whose founders wanted to help fellow veterans adjust to life after military service and all that goes with it.

The group's office, The Bunker, at 1250 N. Wenatchee Ave., provides year-round coffee and camaraderie along with clothing, a food bank and, when the occasion arises, assistance with things like rent, utilities and car repairs for veterans in need and their families.

Ron Bruno, a NCW Vets Serving Vets founder and coordinator of the Stand Down, was pleased to introduce a couple of new vendors this year, including the Murh's Tools4Troops table.

"It's a great asset this year," Bruno said. "It's a first. We're glad to have formed this working relationship."

He also praised the veterans.

"We're not going to have a heck of a lot left at the end of the day," he said. "I've said it before, if we provide the service, the veteran community will figure out how to use it."

About 100 volunteers signed up to help with the event this year, which was attended by an estimated 300 veterans. "The turnout was down a little bit, but we reached more of the homeless and at-risk folks this year than last year," Bruno said.

Back at the Tools4Troops table, Muhr was busy discussing woodworking projects.

"I've heard about a lot of projects they need to do. It's good to hear stories and communicate with veterans," he said.

The tools are free, but veterans do have to fill out some paperwork.

Bill Course didn't seem to mind.

He was looking at several measuring and leveling devices, some of the hundreds of hand tools displayed on the tables, including pliers, wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers. Larger items, like saws, shovels and rakes were nearby.

After some consideration, he found a toolbox and three picture frame clamps.

"I'll make new cupboard doors for the kitchen," he said.

Reach Nevonne McDaniels at 509-664-7151 or (javascript required to see email).

___

(c)2018 The Wenatchee World (Wenatchee, Wash.)

Visit The Wenatchee World (Wenatchee, Wash.) at www.wenatcheeworld.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.