Just two days before Veterans Day, the American Legion Rusy-Bohm Post 411 sponsored its first-ever resource fair in support of veterans, service members, and their families. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., resources and activities were available on-site, including health screenings, mental health resources, fitness tips, and more.

Event organizer Jessica Santiago-Valdes shares that the event’s primary purpose is to spread awareness about the various resources available for military members and their families. Santiago-Valdes works for the U.S. Army Reserve Family Programs, so she is used to providing resources for soldiers and their families, but this was her first time working on the veterans’ side.

As a military spouse, she understands the importance of such events. “Many of the veterans who were here early this morning are from the post. There are so many entitlements that they didn’t even know existed, and that’s what drives it home for me,” she said.

The room was lined with resource tables. Vetted organizations participating included The Suffolk County P.D., The Red Cross, Suffolk County Fire and Rescue Services, Blue Star Mothers, Suffolk County Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Northport Women’s Health, Warrior Ranch Foundation, Cooking for Long Island Veterans,  Army Reserve Family Programs, Paws of War, Youth Enrichment Services and more.

Along with informational flyers and pamphlets, tables gave away snacks, bags, pens, coloring pages, bracelets, hand sanitizer, notepads, and even drink koozies. The Red Cross handed out red drawstring bags containing socks and essential everyday toiletries.

The Suffolk County Police Department distributed Narcan and demonstrated how to administer it properly.

Because of Santiago-Valdes’s hard work and the hospitality of The American Legion Rusy-Bohm Post 411, military families were provided various health, finance, and education resources.