(From l-r) Veterans Services team members Randy Wright and Todd Hughes with volunteer Richard Burger, courtesy of Goodwill Manasota

Veterans and their families, as well as members of the public, are invited to attend Goodwill Manasota's free Veterans Health & Wellness Fair, which takes place on Saturday, November 13, 11am-3pm at Goodwill Manasota's Veterans Services office (8490 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota). Health services offered on-site will include dental screenings, blood pressure checks and blood sugar screenings. Veterans can receive guidance on disability claims and healthcare enrollment, learn about counseling services and stress relief programs, smoking cessation, opioid treatment, CBD products, and beneficial services and activities such as acupuncture, equine-assisted therapy, hunting and fishing trips, fly fishing/fly making, and more.

Goodwill Manasota and SunCoast Blood Centers will re-launch the "Change a Life, Save a Life" partnership effort, with Goodwill gratefully accepting donations of gently-used items and SunCoast Blood Centers taking donations of blood (blood donors will receive a $10 Goodwill Manasota gift card). As part of that effort, attendees are encouraged to donate blood and/or gently-used goods; donors can designate which branch of the military to make that donation in honor of. The branch for which the most is donated will win a free coffee and cake social hosted by Goodwill's Veterans Services team.

Numerous community sponsors and partners will be in attendance, including students from the LECOM School of Dental Medicine, MCR Health, and representatives from Easterseals at InStride, United Way Suncoast, JFCS, Centerstone, Tidewell Hospice, Operation Eco Vets, Operation Outdoor Freedom, and Groups Recover Together. Additionally, staff members from the offices of U.S. Representatives Vern Buchanan and Greg Steube are slated to attend.

"While Veterans Day is a wonderful opportunity for Americans to pause to recognize the sacrifices and heroics of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, at Goodwill Manasota, we believe it’s vitally important to remember veterans each and every day," said Goodwill Manasota President Donn Githens. "We hope veterans and their families and the general public will join us for the Veterans Health & Wellness Fair to see the resources available in the community to support our heroes."

This event, being presented in recognition of Veterans Day, is free and open to the general public, veterans and their families. For more information, call 941-355-2721, ext. 163.

(From l-r) Veterans Services team members Randy Wright and Todd Hughes with volunteer Richard Burger, courtesy of Goodwill Manasota