+--------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
|                                | # Atlanta V      | ##              |
|                                | A Medical Center |  For more infor |
|                                |                  | mation, contact |
|                                | # 167            |  Candace Hull,  |
|                                | 0 Clairmont Road |                 |
|                                |                  | ## Public       |
|                                | **Atlanta, GA    | Affairs Officer |
|                                | 30033**          |                 |
|                                |                  | **(404)         |
|                                |                  | 417-5385**      |
+--------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| **Department of**              | ### News Release |                 |
|                                |                  |                 |
| **Veterans Affairs**           |                  |                 |
+--------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 23, 2006

## 

##### Atlanta VA to Host Stand Down for Homeless Veterans

ATLANTA, GA -- The Atlanta VA Medical Center will host a Stand Down for
homeless veterans on Saturday, November 4, 2006 from 8 a.m. -- 4 p.m.
This free event will be held at Dunbar Elementary School/Recreation
Center, located at 403 Richardson Street; Atlanta, Georgia 30316.

The military term "Stand Down" is used to describe an event whereby
homeless veterans can receive free clothes, food, haircuts and other
related services. The Atlanta VA holds Stand Downs twice per year.

At the upcoming Stand Down, veterans will be offered on-site health
screenings to include dental and podiatric services, haircuts, clothing,
and a host of other services.

Community participants include:

-   VA Regional Office, providing assistance with claims processing for
    VA benefits

-   Central Presbyterian Church, providing funding for veterans to
    receive identification cards and birth certificates

-   Department of Labor, providing employment information

-   Fatherhood Connection, providing information on child support

-   Grady Mobile Unit, providing HIV and STD screenings, along with
    tobacco prevention information

-   American Legion Post 911, providing meals

-   The Salvation Army, providing bag lunches, hot coffee and snacks

-   Social Security Administration, providing information on filing
    claims

-   Work Force Development, providing job training information

Other community supporters and volunteers include the Georgia Department
of Veterans Service, Atlanta VA Medical Center's Dental Services,
Goodwill Industries, American Massage Therapy, Disabled American
Veterans, Fort McPherson Department of Plans & Training, the Military
Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rolling Thunder,
Soldiers Angels, and the Vietnam Veterans of America who will co-host
the event.

For more information, please contact the Atlanta VA's Homeless Veterans
Program at (404) 321-6111, extension 7436 or 7442.

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