Veterans to receive outreach from county

Story by Chuck Ballaro

North Fort Myers has a significant veteran population, yet many of them are unaware of the benefits and services to which they are entitled

There is good news, however Lee County is expanding its community outreach efforts to veterans in the area.

A representative of Lee County Human & Veteran Services will offer monthly outreach services to veterans and their families at the North Fort Myers Public Library, 2001 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers

These services will be available to veterans by appointment from 9 a m to 3 p m on the third Friday of every month starting June 16

Services will be available to assist veterans, their families, their survivors, and dependents make an application to the Veterans Administration for assistance

Rodney Van Ness, program director at Lee County Human & Veteran Services, said they are expanding their services to other areas of the county for those who can’t get to their downtown Fort Myers office The North Fort Myers Library provides an easy location that is close to the VA clinic in Cape Coral

“This will be an ongoing effort We counsel veterans and their families on the potential benefits they receive through the VA,” Van Ness said, “We will also be able to electronically submit a claim to the VA from the library as if we were doing it at the Fort Myers office ”

Most veterans come to make claims for servicerelated injuries and the VA is making a push to reach combat veterans exposed to the burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan and the cancer and respiratory issues associated with them

Similar outreach has been happening on Pine Island at the Beacon of Hope in St James City for six years on the first Friday of the month and it’s been very successful.

So far, the reaction to the North Fort Myers location has been positive, with five appointments already scheduled, so you may want to schedule one now before it fills up as appointments can take between 45 and 60 minutes

The Lee County Department of Human & Veteran Services serves as a hub for government, private and nonprofit resources designated to aid individuals and families.

Specific program areas are: Family Self-Sufficiency, Housing Services, Neighborhood Building, Contract Management and Veteran Services

To make an appointment call 533-8381 For more information, call 533-7930 or visit www leegov com/dhs