Veterans fair supports those who served

FINDLAY — The Veterans Empowerment Summer Fair and Family Picnic, hosted by the Hancock County Veterans Service Office, returns for its second year on Saturday from 10 am to 2 p.m. at Owens Community College's Findlay Campus, in the Community Education & Wellness Center (FCE building). What began as a small gathering to connect veterans with local resources now draws in hundreds of veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors across Hancock County and the surrounding region. "The Veterans Empowerment Fair provides our office with an opportunity to connect veterans and community resources in one location," said Joshua Polland, Veteran Response Team and outreach coordinator. "Veterans can learn about available programs that are meant to empower and improve themselves and their families. The summer VEF is also about enjoying time with loved ones, with activities that encourage veterans to bring their families." Before the Veterans Empowerment Fairs launched in 2023, the veterans office held "Veterans Resource Fairs," events that narrowly centered on either employment, mental health or VA benefits. In late 2022, a decision was made to consolidate these efforts into quarterly fairs that brought all resources together in one place. "It is important to have this event in Hancock County because it provides veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors with the opportunity to be around others in the veteran community," said Toby Brown, office manager and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. "It also gives veterans a chance to see what resources are available to them in the local area." Each year VEF events have grown in popularity with an average of 150 attendees. The upcoming Summer Empowerment Fair and Family Picnic, however, has been their most popular event, drawing in anywhere from 250-300 guests. "Our very first VEF had a total attendance of below 100," said Ed Newton, resiliency operations manager and U.S. Army veteran. "We have watched the numbers grow from there. We have visitors now from surrounding counties and further. Some come to check out the resources and some come to see what kind of event we have and how we do it as they are looking at starting something similar in their areas." This year's event will feature more than 30 organizations offering resources and information related to topics such as health, housing, finances, education and personal development. Representatives from the Veterans Service Office at Owens Community College also will be among the list of exhibitors, offering information on the tools and resources available for veterans on campus. Owens Community College has been a longtime partner in hosting the event at its Findlay campus. "I hope attendees realize that between Owens Community College and Hancock County they have a reliable resource that's going to be willing to work with them for future years to come," Matthew Taylor, manager for Veteran Services at Owens said. "We want to see them succeed overall, that's what the main objective of this event is." The fair will offer a variety of activities for families with attractions, including bounce houses, outdoor games, a "Touch-A-Truck" display, Z&D Airsoft's mobile target-shooting range and free haircuts for veterans and their families provided by Bless Up & Bloom. A free lunch will be catered by Texas Roadhouse as well as free school supplies on-site through Operation Back to School. Guitars 4 Vets Findlay Chapter Band A.W.O.L will be performing throughout the day. Multiple prize drawings will take place beginning at 1:30 p.m. Attendees can earn tickets for engaging in various aspects of the event such as bringing a friend, wearing special shirts and completing their booth passports. "These Veteran Empowerment Fairs have led to many great connections between our office, veterans and family members who were previously unaware of our services, or reluctant to contact us," Newton said. As the fair continues to grow in popularity, the Veterans Service Office is committed to extending its reach and rotating its selection of exhibitors. Over the last two years, the office has accumulated a list of 80 potential exhibitors, rotating the list for each quarterly event. "An aspect of VEF that sometimes goes unnoticed is the networking that happens between the exhibitors," Newton said. "Agencies can learn about each other's services and realize how they, and others, can benefit from their services. This helps increase the 'strength of the network' of resources, not just for veterans, but also for all Hancock County residents." Going forward, the office would like to expand its outreach efforts to younger veterans and those living in rural areas in Hancock County who may not be aware of the resources available. "We already have strong partnerships with local agencies, and we hope to keep growing those relationships and build new ones with others in the community," said Nicole Potteiger, county Veterans Service officer and administrative manager and U.S. Army veteran. "We'd also love to find and support more veteran-owned and veteran-friendly businesses, giving them a space at our events to connect with the public and grow."