8th Annual RABA Salute to Veterans
Shasta County is home to more than 17,000 veterans — people who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect America’s freedom. Sadly, an increasing number of our veterans are homeless, elderly and at risk, and need help getting where they need to go.
Fortunately, the community has an opportunity to give back to them.
In honor of Veterans’ Day, the 8 th Annual Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) Salute to Veterans event is planned Thursday, November 9 from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cornerstone Community Bank, 150 E. Cypress Ave. in Redding. This event provides free bus passes to more than 8,500 veterans annually through the Shasta County Veterans Service Office (VSO). This helps veterans get to work, medical appointments, school, shopping and other needed appointments.
“We have a lot of seniors and veterans on fixed incomes who need public transportation to get around,” explains Melissa Estrada, Transportation Planner for the City of Redding.
Donations from the fundraiser directly benefit the Shasta County VSO, which is the first step for assisting veterans across Shasta County and serves more than 8,500 people annually. The VSO distributes $10 RABA punch cards from its main office and other local veteran organizations, which can be used on RABA routes in Redding, Shasta Lake City, and Anderson.
RABA provides a 50 percent match to all donations received, so for every $100 donated, $150 in transit rides are provided to veterans.
People can donate money online with a credit card or deliver cash or a check to the event. Cash can also be donated any time from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at Cornerstone Community Bank.
“It’s really fun,” Estrada says. “The Veterans Service Office, Enterprise Lions Club, and Cornerstone Community Bank all participate. The Lions Club displays their two large flags on the building and 24 along the sidewalk outside. There’s so much honor on display at the event — from the flags to the community members who show up to support our veterans.”
The Shasta County VSO offers comprehensive counseling to veterans and their families on benefits granted by federal, state, and local laws. These benefits can include disability, pensions, college fee waivers, vocational rehabilitation, life insurance, medical care, home loan programs, homeless housing assistance and much more. The VSO helps develop claims and ensures the required documents are submitted. For more information about these services, call 225-5616 or visit the office at 1855 Shasta St. in Redding.