As Veterans Day was observed across Southern California, support services and donations for current and former military service members as cities held parades and events to honor veterans.
LA Dodgers
Some 350 active-duty service members of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force were invited to a batting practice event at UNIQLO Field at Dodgers Stadium.
The gathering will allow Military officials and their families to enjoy activities, including batting practice on the field, playing catch with Dodgers alumni, such as Orel Hershiser, and getting the private tour of the ballpark, the Dodgers organization said.
VA campus wellness center
The Harbor Freight Tools Foundation announced a more than $10 million donation Wednesday to the nonprofit U.S.VETS for the development of a wellness center at the West Los Angeles VA campus.
“The gift will transform a historic VA building into a one-stop resource for veterans, providing mental health care, food assistance, legal aid, job training, and VA healthcare,” according to the foundation.
“The center will serve more than 3,000 veterans and their families on campus, while extending critical services to more than 200,000 veterans across Greater Los Angeles.”
The Harbor Freight Tools Foundation is a subsidiary of The Smidt Foundation, the private charitable organization established by company founder Eric Smidt.
Veteran services at YMCA centers
The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs announced a partnership today that will bring county veteran services directly into YMCA Community Well-Being Centers across the region.
Through the partnership, MVA’s Veteran Peer Access Network will hold regular outreach days at YMCA centers. VPAN navigators and Veterans Service Organization representatives will provide benefits screenings, referrals and follow-up on site.
The YMCA will add food assistance, wellness and peer groups, membership access, family programs and volunteer opportunities. Officials said that in a single visit, veterans either housed or unhoused can get help with benefits, groceries, a path to YMCA membership, a peer group and a way to serve their community.
The partnership will launch at the following 11 YMCA centers:
- North Valley Family YMCA
- Mid Valley YMCA
- West Valley Family YMCA
- Hollywood YMCA
- Santa Clarita Valley Family YMCA
- Crowell Family YMCA
- Pasadena-Sierra Madre YMCA
- Ann & Steven Hinchliffe San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA
- Wilmington Family YMCA
- Burbank YMCA
- Antelope Valley Family YMCA
Ferris Wheel to go red, white and blue
Pacific Park’s Ferris Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier will turned into a 90-foot-tall American flag and U.S. Armed Forces seals to honor veterans.
More than 174,000 computer-controlled LED lights will illuminate the Ferris wheel in red, white and blue colors, patterns and transitions, creating a towering Veterans Day tribute visible along the Southern California coastline, according to Pacific Park representatives.