BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Organizers of the annual Kern County Veterans Stand Down event say they were overwhelmed by the number of vendors who participated this year, with more than 115 businesses and organizations coming together to provide resources and support for local veterans.
The event, which helps connect veterans with essential services and donations, saw its highest vendor participation ever. Savannah Oates with CAP-K said the turnout exceeded expectations after the organization merged with California Veterans Assistance Foundation.
"We were taking clothing donations, that we needed volunteers, and we needed vendors and partners. So we had some little, you know, communication to go here and there, but we made it work and we had honestly a record, attendance today of vendors," Oates said.
"Over 115 vendors today. Typically, it was right under 100, so 115 is a really good turnout for us," Oates said.
Army veteran Freddie Poplin attended the event with his wife and expressed gratitude for the community support and donations available to veterans.
"The way that people have come together to help the veterans, you know, with clothes and stuff, you know," Poplin said.
"They sometimes they can't afford or get, but I'm glad they know, they're helping us out," Poplin said.
Marine veteran Johnny Contreras provided free haircuts at the event and said the experience creates meaningful connections between veterans.
"Find out that I'm a veteran myself, they open up even more, so they feel more comfortable, you know, talking about their stories and they open up and I have them in the chair for like 20 to 30 minutes, so it's enough time to start a conversation," Contreras said.
Organizers said they were grateful for this year's successful outcome and the community's continued support for local veterans.
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