VETERANS

In total, 589 veterans and active-duty personnel worked their way from station to station — where every service, all information and any item was free — to get help of all kinds.

Collins, 64, who is largely homebound in her Hilliard apartment, said attending the event is vital.

“I can get all the things I need, and I get to make new friends,” she said. “It is such a wonderful thing.”

For the first time in the event’s 24-year history, a special area Tuesday was designated for women veterans who might be uncomfortable circulating the big exhibition hall filled mostly with men. Collins started in the quieter, more subdued space before venturing into the great hall. She said the women-only space was a wonderful idea.

Volunteers had set up special stations specific to women’s health and feminine hygiene, and there were stands where the women could get a makeup lesson, get their nails painted or try on wigs. Organizers said the Army veteran J. Eric Peters checks out his haircut provided by Shannon Chapman of the Oho State Barber College on Tuesday. experiment was successful. Last year, only 8% of the veterans who attended Stand Down were women. This year, that number grew to 14%.

While making her rounds of both areas, Collins was able to get her flu shot and pick up a supply of naloxone, the antidote that can be used to pull someone out of an opioid overdose. She takes prescription pain medication for health conditions, and accidental overdose can be a real concern.

But the event wasn’t all about necessity. There was a lot of fun, too. Collins got

to pet Little Dude, a kind and gentle miniature horse at the Stockhands Horses for Healing booth.

“Oooohhhhh,” she cooed to him. “You are so sweet, aren’t you?”

And then she learned from Project Healing Water Fly Fishing that volunteers will take veterans fishing for free.

“You know how long it’s been since I fished?” Collins said. “I would just love that. This event so great. Everyone gets so much help.”