City of Lacey holds fundraiser for Veterans Services Hub

The City of Lacey held a fundraiser April 28, 2017, at Saint Martin’s University Marcus Pavilion, Lacey, Wash.

The fundraiser raised approximately $30, 000 for the Lacey Veterans Services Hub, an organization that assists veterans and their family members with housing and financial assistance, job training and employment, and more. Soldiers of 2^nd Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Regiment, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, provided the color guard for the fundraiser.

“The city embraces partnerships with the military community through the Community Connector Program, the Lacey Subchapter of AUSA (Association of the United States Army), and the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership (SSMCP),” said Mary Coppin, the Lacey community liaison. “The Community Connector program allows us to develop coordinated opportunities for Soldiers to connect with the community and for our civilians to demonstrate support for military personnel and their families. On the leadership level, the SSMCP facilitates regional planning efforts for JBLM to meet the needs of the military and the surrounding communities.”

Through the initiative of the Lacey City Council, the city opened the Lacey Veterans Services Hub in October 2016, said Coppin. The Lacey Hub is a one-stop shop for assistance with benefits, counseling, peer-to-peer support, housing, employment, and education assistance. Since opening six months ago, the Lacey Hub has already served more than 900 Veterans and families.

“Additionally, Lacey is a partner in the Thurston Economic Development Council Center for Business and Innovation Veterans Microenterprise Program (VMP),” she said. “This program is designed to help veterans plan, open and operate a small business. Veterans who live in the City of Lacey or the Lacey Urban Growth area, plan to open a business in the City of Lacey may be eligible for enhanced services through VMP.

“We want to continue supporting our adopted brigade, the 1-2 SBCT, and remain a welcoming community to all military members, veterans, and their families.  Lacey celebrates the importance of their service, and we demonstrate this by proudly displaying over 800 U.S. flags throughout Lacey streets on all patriotic holidays. It is our goal to enhance the quality of life for military personnel and families by building quality neighborhoods, infrastructure, schools, recreation opportunities, and services.”

For the past two years, the city has partnered with the Lacey Subchapter of AUSA to host Ghost Brigade Field Day events at the Regional Athletic Facility (RAC) in Lacey.  These all-day events have featured free food, games, activities, door prizes, and tournaments for the members of the 1-2 SBCT and their families. The 3rd Annual 1-2 SBCT Field Day is currently scheduled for August 29, 2017.