Veterans Hall to host regular Veterans Benefit Days
The Gilroy Veterans Memorial Hall, 74 West Sixth St., is hosting Veterans Benefit Days on the first and third Fridays of the month through 2024 with extended hours from 8:30am to 2pm.
The four partners in Benefit Days include:
• Santa Clara County Veteran Service Representatives to help with benefits reviews, DMV verifications, PACT Act registration, ordering a DD214 and more.
• VA Mobile Medical Team provides enrollment and eligibility, screenings, exams and flu shots, when available.
• California Connect works with the VA Mobile Medical Team to provide specialized phones for those who have difficulties using a standard phone because of seeing, hearing, moving, speaking or remembering.
• Sourcewise, based in Morgan Hill, coordinates local services and support systems for seniors.
“Having these partners on site, on a regular basis, helps local vets get the services they need without traveling long distances,” said Gabe Perez, board president of the South Santa Clara Valley Memorial District, which owns and operates the Gilroy Veterans Hall. “Benefit Days can reduce the burden for those who need these services the most.”
Veterans should bring their discharge papers (DD214), but if they don’t have them the documents can be ordered when they attend Benefit Days. No appointments are necessary.
The Veterans Memorial Hall is home to the American Legion Post #217, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) John A. Berri Post #6309 and the VFW Auxiliary. For information about the Hall, email [email protected], visit GilroyVeteransHall.org or call 408.842.3838.
Workshop covers disaster preparedness
A disaster preparedness workshop will take place at the Gilroy Library, 350 West Sixth St., on Jan. 16 from 6-7pm.
The free workshop will be presented by the City of Gilroy’s Community Resilience Coordinator Daniel Scott.
Topics to be covered include:
• Creating a disaster kit
• Making a plan in case you can’t return home
• Reconnecting with family and friends
No registration is necessary. For information, visit tinyurl.com/5fsphafy.
Transit discounts available for low-income residents
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, in partnership with other Bay Area transit agencies, announced the “Clipper START” pilot program. This initiative, administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, aims to make public transportation more affordable to lower-income Bay Area residents by offering 50% discounted fares.
To participate in the “Clipper START” program, individuals must meet the following criteria:
• Be a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Be aged 19-64 years.
• Not possess an RTC Clipper Card for people with disabilities.
• Have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Eligible participants will receive a 50% discount on single adult fares for the following transit services: VTA, AC Transit, Marin Transit, SolTrans, BART, Muni, Sonoma County Transit, Caltrain, Napa VINE and more.
To apply, residents must provide proof of identity and income and when approved will receive a personalized Clipper card in the mail to get their discounts.
For information and to apply, visit clipperstartcard.com/s.
Wells named to SNHU Dean’s List
Colton Wells of Gilroy has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Fall 2023 Dean’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired eight-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring and summer.
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with a 91-year history.
Locals recognized at SNHU
Two local students were named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Fall 2023 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.
Gavin De Carlo of Gilroy and Christopher Smith of San Martin were honored.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired eight-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring and summer.
