VETERANS' RESOURCE GUIDE
A supplement to the Whidbey News-Times, South Whidbey Record and The Whidbey Examiner
2016
Page 2
Veterans Resource Guide 2016
Opportunity council,VFW partner to address veteran homelessness The top priority for the Opportunity Council in Oak Harbor is to address and prevent veteran homelessness. Even though the Oak Harbor organization receives state and federal money, sometimes the strings attached make it difficult to meet that goal. Enter the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Motorcycle Riders. The VFW riders raised more than $1,000 last year, and that money has helped more than one veteran stay off the streets. “If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know where we’d be,” said Monica Lopez, the organization’s veteran services and homeless outreach coordinator. Lopez has used the money to pay for things that she can’t spend government money on,
such as housing applications, an ID card fee and a nurse’s license that allowed a veteran to attain work. Opportunity Council is funded primarily through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. “Overall it’s a housing stabilization and self-sufficiency program,” Lopez said. “The main thing is housing and all the benefits trickle down from there.” The program aims to address the county’s homeless population, prevent veterans from losing their homes and rehouse them quickly if they are displaced. While Lopez’s program is able to assist the broader homeless population, she is tasked to look specifically for veterans who may
KOETJE REAL ESTATE
be eligible for services that could stabilize their lives. A common misconception is that to qualify for these statefunded county services a veteran needs to be retired. To qualify, they need to have served in the armed forces active duty. In many cases, veterans may not know they are eligible for certain benefits or they forget to apply. In addition to serving the service population in Oak Harbor, Lopez said she is willing to travel to South Whidbey or to the Stanwood Camano Resource Center to meet with Island County residents who need assistance. Lopez also partners with other Opportunity Council and county programs that can help with utilities or medical coverage.
Think Real Estate... Think Premier Title.
Opportunity Council plans to hold a Veterans Resource Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7392 on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor. A number of organizations will be on hand, including local veterans service organizations and VA representatives who can help enroll. Those interested in donating to the VFW riders can visit Post 7392 on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor or call 360-675-4048. The Opportunity Council can be reached at 360-679-6577, ext 136. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Thursday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Veterans may also make an appointment in advance. The office is located at 1791 NE 1st Ave. #1, Oak Harbor.
Thank You, Veterans
www.premiertitlewa.com
CELEBRATING THE TRADITION OF SERVING OUR MILITARY SINCE WWII.
for serving our country and protecting our freedoms!
LO C A LLY OW N E D
5589 Harbor Ave., Ste. C Freeland 360-331-3353 Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
WE SUPPORT THE MISSION OF NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND AND THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR MILITARY.
Melanie Farnworth Customer Service Supervisor Melanie.Farnworth@rescare.com www.ResCareHomeCare.com
www.CBKoetje.com 360.675.5915 415 SE Pioneer Way Oak Harbor
www.KoetjeRentals.com 360.675.2271 380 SE Pioneer Way Oak Harbor
499 NE Midway Blvd., Ste. 2 Oak Harbor 360-240-9610 Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
31955 SR-20, Suite 2 Oak Harbor,WA 98277 360.240.0044 Fax:360.240.0084 5529 E. Harbor Ave, Freeland, WA 98249 360.331.7441
Veterans Resource Guide 2016
Disabled American Vets provide rides, claim assistance The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 47 has got your back. This nonprofit, which receives no federal money, helps veterans with a disability caused by military service and also assists their families. The local chapter’s five service officers can help file claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs. They’re trained to do so, said Floyd Hawkins, chapter commander. In fact, it’s a requirement the service officers have some sort of disability incurred by military service. They know something about what the servicemen and women they help are going through. One of the major services they provide are driving veterans to the VA hospital in Seattle for free. In 2015, drivers spent more
than 1,400 hours behind the wheel shuttling veterans to Seattle. They also served about 60 veterans per week who needed help filing claims, he said. All the drivers and local service officers are volunteers who want to help other service members. Formerly located on Seaplane Base, the DAV now has offices in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7392 at 3037 Goldie Road, Oak Harbor. The chapter is considering moving to a location on Midway Boulevard in March. If you would like to come by this spring, call ahead of time to check the location. A service officer is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, no appointments necessary. They have a new phone number: 360-682-2945.
Page 3
We honor and appreciate Veterans!
VETERAN’S DAY CELEBRATION
2:00 p.m. November 11, 2016 - Summer Hill Dining Room we want you! • Special musical program by “The Honeybees” • Family and Friends are welcome Dessert will be served
Please call Patty or Heidi at
(360) 679-1400 or (360) 929-7359 165 SW 6th Avenue • Oak Harbor 360-679-1400 www.Summerhill-AssistedLiving.com A Platinum Service® Community Managed by The Goodman Group.
EQUAL HOUSING O P P O RT U N I T Y
Putting heart into quality service We consider it an honor to serve the families in our community. A licensed Funeral Director since 1972, owner Paul Kuzina is also an Advanced Planning Specialist, skilled in assisting families in pre-planning.
WhidbeyMemorial
Funeral & Cremation Service
746 NE Midway Blvd • Oak Harbor • (360)
675-5777
info@whidbeymemorial.com • www.whidbeymemorial.com
Page 4
Veterans Resource Guide 2016
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS The A-3 Skywarrior Whidbey Memorial Foundation: A nonprofit organization, established to provide the means and funds to place the A-3 aircraft on display at NAS Whidbey Island. www.a3skywarriorfor whidbey.org. A-3 Skywarrior Whidbey Memorial Foundation, Post Office Box 1402, Oak Harbor. Contact Ralph Estes III, chairman, d7sus4@msn.com; or Bill Young, director, 360-679-4843 or capthawk@whidbey.net American Legion: Focusing on service to veterans, their families and communities. George Morris Post 129, Oak Harbor, 690 S.E. Barrington Drive, 360-6756752; South Whidbey Post 141, Bayview, 14096 State Highway 525; 360-321-5696.
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 47: Provides assistance to all disabled veterans and their families. Service officers available five days of the week with offices at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7392, 3037 Goldie Road. Walk-ins are welcome, no appointments necessary; 360-682-2945. Fleet Reserve Association: Oak Harbor Branch 97, a community for the Sea Services including U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard personnel. 311 Southeast 8th Ave., Oak Harbor; 360-675-3414. Island County Veterans Services: Provides emergency financial assistance, case management and other support services to indigent veterans and their
dependents. Contact Dana Sawyers at 360-675-4093 or d.sawyers@co.island.wa.us Ladies Auxiliary Fleet Reserve Association: Branch 97 is open to the wives and widows, mothers, sisters, daughters and granddaughters of active or retired members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Assists needs of Fleet Reserve Association, its members and their families; 360-675-3414. Marine Corps League: Megan McClung Detachment 1210 promotes the ideals of American freedom and Marine history, as well as assisting Marines, chaplains and other associated service men and women. Meets 7 p.m. the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7392, 3037 Goldie Road. www. mcleague.com
Navy League: Oak Harbor Area Navy League, chartered in 1956, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the American people and their government that the U.S. is a maritime nation and that our economy and defense depends upon the sea services. www.oakharbornavyleague.org PBY Memorial Foundation: Dedicated to the preservation and study of all PBY “Catalina” aircraft as well as the aviation and military history. Museum located at 270 S.E. Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor. Displays a PBY aircraft that actually flew from NAS Whidbey Island. Contact 360-240-9500; www.pbyma.org Retired Officers’ Wives: Strictly social organization. The group’s purpose is to acquaint the wives of the retired officers in this area; 360-679-4527.
Home of the Veterans Writing Workshop CONGREGATE MEALS-MULTIPLE SITES, MEALS ON WHEELS, ADULT DAY SERVICES, MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION, INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE, CLASSES IN FITNESS, YOGA, TAI CHI, HEALTH, COMPUTERS, ARTS, HISTORY & CURRENT EVENTS, CRAFTS, BRIDGE, CHESS, GAMES, TRIPS, TOURS, AND HOLIDAY EVENTS.
“local people serving local people”
MONDAY THRU FRIDAY, 8:30 A.M.-4:00 P.M. South Whidbey Senior Activity Center 14594 SR 525 Langley, WA 98260
Celebrating 75 years of serving Skagit and Island Counties
360-321-1600
OAK HARBOR
ESCROW DEPT. 360-679-5055 TITLE DEPT. 360-675-2246 • Toll Free 800-829-5263 PATTY FAKKEMA, ISLAND OPERATIONS MGR 1080 NE 7th Avenue, Oak Harbor
Let the staff of Seniors’ Insurance help you understand the world of Medicare.
FREELAND
We provide insurance coverage to individuals and retirees, and represent all the companies who market Medicare products on Whidbey Island.
ESCROW DEPT. 360-331-4838 • Fax: 360-331-4837 CHRISTA CANELL, BRANCH MANAGER/LPO Christa@Ltco.com 5595 Harbor Avenue, Ste. C, Freeland
www.LTCO.com
S
SENIORS’ INSURANCE Ron Sanford • Timm Sanford SERVICES 5492 Harbor Avenue, Freeland | seniorsinsuranceinc.com
* Serving since 1979 * 800-535-1310 • 360-331-4560
Veterans Resource Guide 2016
Page 5
VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Oak Harbor: Provides military care packages, support for veterans‚ hospitals, community service, cancer aid and research assistance, Senior Christmas luncheon and Easter egg hunt. Call 360-675-4048 or visit www. vfwpost7392.org VFW Post 7392, Oak Harbor: Provides scholarships, essay contests, funeral services on request for military veterans, job placement assistance, promotes patriotism, VA benefit assistance, distributes holiday baskets, and provides phone cards to deployed service members; 360-675-4048 or www. vfw7392.org Veterans Resource Center: Provides veteran service outreach and peer support groups with regular hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. 14096 Hwy. 525, Bayview. 360-331-8081. www.whidbeyvrc.org Veterans Transition Support and Development Center: Helps people transition from the military to the civilian world. The nonprofit is set to open in March of 2016. 775 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. For more information contact Gary Strong at 210-845-9291 or gary.strong@vetsdc.org. vetsdc.org and facebook.com/vetsdc The Whidbey Island Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (WICMOAA): the local affiliate of MOAA, which is open to all retired or active duty officers of the Uniformed Services of the United States. Chapter meetings are the second Thursday of the month at the Whidbey Island NAS Officers’ Club. Contact David G. Cohick for more information at 360-675-5171 or dgcohick@comcast.net
Thank you to all our Whidbey Island veterans for your service to our country! 1040 SW Kimball Drive | Oak Harbor, WA. 98277
(360) 279-0933 Cottages • Assisted Living • Memory Care www.regencywhidbey.com Voted “Best Assisted Living”
Page 6
Veterans Resource Guide 2016
WHIDBEY VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER Mission: Connect, Serve, and Educate Veterans and their Families
Information and Referrals Assistance with obtaining VA and other Benefits, Support Groups Community Events & Programs WVRC Welcomes, Honors Veterans, their Families and Communities Please call for hours, services, and ways to get involved
360.331.8081
www.whidbeyvrc.org
14096 Hwy. 525 Bayview • PO Box 85, Freeland, WA 98249
Donations to WVRC, a 501c3 organization, are tax deductible
Center aims to strengthen Whidbey 's vet community It took 15 years for Dean Fosdick to get his claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs filled. He doesn’t want anyone else to go through what he did. Fosdick, a service officer with the American Legion South Whidbey Post 141, also volunteers with the Veterans Resource Center, which works with veterans and their families to receive the benefits they deserve after having served in the military. Fosdick, who served in the U.S. Army, developed post-traumatic stress disorder and other physical ailments brought on by serving in Desert Storm. He had to fight through a tangled sea of red tape. He called congressman and wrote the president. It shouldn’t be that difficult or time consuming, he said. Since moving to Whidbey Island, he’s seen that veterans here have even a harder time connecting with the help they need. At the center,
he works with around 8 to 10 veterans a month. They dealing with a range of service-related conditions, including heart disease, brain trauma, diabetes, titinitus, skin conditions. As a result, many veteran families struggle and are barely able to meet their living expenses. More than 13,000 veterans live in Island County. More than 2,500 are disabled and a high number suffer from PTSD, according to staff at the center. Weekly support groups are available for men and women at 5 p.m. Tuesdays and for women alone 5 p.m. Mondays. The center is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays at the Bayview American Legion, 14096 Highway 525 inn Langley. Appointments are suggested but not necessary. Contact: whidbeyvrc@gmail.com or 360-331-8081.
A Disabled Veteran Run Business Proudly Serving Our Veterans
- Computerized Gate Entry
- Online Web Access
- Full Security
- Online Bill Pay
- Well Lighted
- On Site Manager
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Gate Access: Daily 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Auto - Home - Boat - RV 1401 N Oak Harbor St • Oak Harbor, WA 98277 | 360-675-1516 | www.walmarcstorage.com (Conveniently Located 1 mile from Saars Marketplace and 1 Mile from the NAS Main Gate)
IN
K STOC
LINE UP THE 2016
OW!
N
2016 Accord
The Accord has just been named one of Car and Driver’s 10 Best List for the 30th time!
2016 Fit
Named 2015 Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com1 Best Resale Value Award winner!
2016 Civic
SE WHID RVING BEY SINC ISLAND E 197 9
2016 CR-V
Superior value and signature blend of reliability, style and performance, the 2016 Honda Civic is the Overall Best Buy according to Kelly Blue Book1!
2015 CR-V Touring has been awarded the coveted 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). U.S. News1 has named the CR-V the Best Car for the Money among compact SUVs.
2016 CR-Z
Small, sporty, and stylish. Kelley Blue Book1 named Honda the Best Overall Brand as part of its 2015 Brand Image Awards.
2016 Pilot
Named Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com1 Best Buy of the Year in class!
2016 HR-V
Built with impressive quality, durability and reliability, the 2016 HR-V earned top marks with a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
2016 Odyssey
2016 Odysseys have been named Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com1 "Best Buy of the Year" in their respective class.
COME IN AND TALK WITH US ABOUT OUR MILITARY APPRECIATION OFFERS www.SIMSHONDA.com
1-800-745-7467 or 360-757-7467 1615 S Goldenrod Rd • Burlington, WA
[1] For more information, visit Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc.
Serving Whidbey Island for over 28 years and 3 Generations! We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction. The only Presidents Award Winner north of Everett!
Come Check Out...
Skagit Valley’s Low Price Leader
Check out our website for our
The Exciting 2016 Ford F150, the New 2016 Subaru Forester, or the Sporty New 2016 Mazda6
FORD LOW PRICED GUARANTEE
and save THOUSANDS!
SkagitAuto.com
We honor our men and women in uniform.
LUBE, OIL COMPLETE SPECIAL® BRAKE MOTORCRAFT & FILTER PACKAGE TESTED TOUGH® Price includes up to 5 quarts of 5W30 or 5W20 Oil, MAX BATTERIES $ Oil filter, Multipoint STARTING AT inspection & tire rotation. OR LESS
179.95
$39.99
VEHICLES REQUIRING ADDITIONAL QUANTITIES OF OIL OR SPECIALTY OILS WILL BE CHARGED ADDITIONAL FEES. EXCLUDES DIESEL. OFFER EXPIRES 6/30/16
• Brake Pad or Shoes • Machining rotors or drums • Labor included
PER-AXLE PRICE, FRONT OR REAR, ON MOST CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS. TAXES EXTRA. SEE PARTICIPATING DEALERSHIP FOR VEHICE EXCLUSIONS AND DETAILS. EXPIRES 6/30/16
$119.95 MSRP
With 100 Month Warranty
SOME RESTRICTION APPLY. WITH EXCHANGE. TAXES AND INSTALLATION EXTRA. WARRANTY INCLUDES FREE TOWING ON DEALER-INSTALLED BATTERY. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. OFFER EXPIRES 6/30/16
Reasons to service your Ford, Free Installation Subaru or Mazda at Skagit Ford, of any battery purchased. Skagit Subaru & Skagit Mazda: Free Multi-Point Inspection • Drive-In Service Facility
Check with us regarding our Military Discounts and Rebates!
• Senior Master Technicians On Staff • Hand Wash & Vacuum on Request With Every Service • Courtesy Shuttle Service • Comfortable Customer Lounge • FREE Coffee Plus Vending Machines for Drinks and Snacks • Service Reminder Program
•••••••••••• Buy 4 Oil Changes and get the 5th Free! Includes free multi-point inspection, free car wash and vacuum with every service.
Stop in and see our great selection of Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles from these 4 great manufacturers! Or shop online at SkagitAuto.com SKAGIT
SKAGIT RIVER
680 AUTO BLVD. BURLINGTON
640 AUTO BLVD. BURLINGTON
620 AUTO BLVD. BURLINGTON
800-735-7154 WWW.SKAGITFORD.COM
888-471-2877 WWW.SKAGITSUBARU.COM
800-736-7346 WWW.SKAGITMAZDA.COM
FORD LINCOLN 360-757-2000
SUBARU
360-757-7737
SKAGIT
MAZDA
360-757-2200