Staff Report
Suicide Awareness and Resource Fair
The Northern Nevada Veterans have several events planned for this month and October.
50 Organizations: Discover programs and services dedicated to the veteran and military community, from educational opportunities and employment services to healthcare and legal advice.
Veteran Suicide Prevention: This year, we’re placing a particular focus on suicide prevention, offering resources, support networks, and educational materials to promote mental health and well-being among.
Contact [email protected] for information.
Federal shutdown
Veterans Affairs programs affected by the federal government shutdown:
VA will cease providing transition program assistance and career counseling. Call Centers: VA’s GI Bill (1-888-GIBILL-1) and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance (1-800-697-6947) hotlines will be closed.
VA benefits regional offices will be closed. Public Affairs and unfunded outreach to Veterans will cease, including social media, VetResources emails, and responses to press inquiries. No grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries. Applications for pre-need burial at VA cemeteries will not be processed. No printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates. No outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based and community-based partners by VA Central Office.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 23 3 p.m. Unaccompanied Service at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Fernley.
Nov 11, noon-2 p.m. Veterans Day BBQ @ Vet Mech Arms in Fernley.
Week of Dec 8. Wreaths will be arriving. Look for announcements about helping to unload.
Dec. 13, 9 a.m.-noon. Wreaths Across America at NNVMC.
Patriots to Education
Nevada school districts are preparing to recruit for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. Many districts still have immediate openings for this current school year. Whether you’re looking for a position now or planning ahead, opportunities are available in many roles.
Veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and their spouses usually possess the qualities that schools value in their team members. Take a look at the Patriots to Education website https://www.patriotstoeducation-nv.org. The links within the website are to vacancies, the application process, and a direct contact for Partner Districts.
Women Veterans Day
The second annual Women Veterans Day is Oct. 9 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Primary Care, Reno VA Medical Center.
For information, contact Tammy Hofmeister at 530-310-4099 or Tammy Vance, 775-326-2636.
Senior fraud prevention
American Legion Duby Reid Post 30 at 730 Fourth Street, Sparks, will be hosting a special presentation by City of Sparks City Attorney, Wes Duncan on Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.
The presentation is about Senior Fraud Prevention. This nonpolitical presentation is open to anyone interested in the topic.
Senior Companion volunteers
The Senior Companion volunteers ages 55 and older provide basic social support to seniors over the age of 60 years old.
The seniors who receive volunteer services generally live alone, need respite care, have limited access to outside resources, and lack social support. Volunteer services may include taking clients to medical appointments, grocery shopping, running errands, socializing, or engaging in fun activities.
For qualifying volunteers, a small stipend is available for services; transportation reimbursement is provided for all volunteers. This program is sponsored by AmeriCorps Seniors and the State of Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division.
For information, contact Polly at [email protected]
Liberty Dogs
Liberty Dogs is currently seeking dedicated individuals interested in becoming puppy raisers to help raise, socialize and prepare future service dogs for our veterans.
We look forward to partnering with our community to help raise and prepare our future service dogs. Together, we're not just training dogs — we're building life-changing relationships that will bring independence, hope, and healing to our Veterans. Call 775-499-0000 ext. 200; email [email protected].; website: www.LibertyDogs.org
Veterans’ assistance
• Veterans Crisis Line — The confidential crisis chat has three ways to obit help. The Veterans Crisis Line is 1-800-273-8255, press 1. Chat at Veterans CrisisLine.net or text to 838255.
• Adult health center — More to Life adult day health center is here to help families. For information go to www.adultdaycarereno.com or call 775-358-1988.
• Northern Nevada Wheelchair Program — The program serves Northern Nevada by recycling serviceable medical equipment and clothing. This program is supported by the American Legion, Community 4 Veterans, Disable American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Call or text 760-500-0857 or email [email protected].
American Legion Post 16 trivia games
The American Legion Post 16 in Fallon announces announce it will keep its trivia game going since it had positive reviews from everyone. Join Post 16 every Wednesday night.
Registration begins at 7 p.m. and game starts at 7:30 p.m.
Fallon's fabulous host Tami will be running our games. You do not have to be a member of the American Legion to attend.
VFW speech, essay contests
Students applying for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen scholarship should be aware of the application process.
The VFW’s Voice of Democracy is for grades 9-12. The procedure is as follows: Download the entry form and obtain the official 2025–2026 entry form from the VFW Youth Scholarships page or your local VFW Post; write & record your essay on the theme of “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” write and record a 3-5 minute audio essay in your own voice (MP3 format preferred); complete the application’s required fields and attach your written scrip and audio file but do not include your name in the essay or audio file; submit to a local VFW post by going to www.vfw.org/find-a-post.
Submit your materials by Oct. 31, 2025; you may apply via paper submission or online through ScholarsApp if your post supports it.
Confirmation and follow-up: You’ll receive a confirmation email if applying online, and you can edit your submission until the deadline.
Patriot’s Pen is for grades 6–8. Obtain the official 2025–2026 entry form from the VFW Youth Scholarships page or your local VFW Post; write your essay on the theme of “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”; type a 300–400 word essay in English; no graphics, poetry or AI-generated content; do not include identifying info in the essay; complete the application; fill out the entry form and attach it to your essay; ensure all required fields are completed.
Then submit your essay to a local VFW post by using the VFW’s Find a Post tool to locate a sponsor; submit your materials by Oct. 31, 2025. Some posts may accept email submissions.
For information, contact [email protected] or 818-264-6868.
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