Honoring/Hiring/Helping Our Heroes of Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings, Brown, Shelby, Johnson and Decatur Counties will conduct the area’s fifth annual Stand Down on Oct. 1 at Fair Oaks Mall, 2380 25th St., Columbus.

“The event aims to educate veterans, military families and service members about organizations that are available locally to assist them,” said Sue Lamborn, a Stand Down committee member.

Organizers hope to reach homeless veterans and veterans at risk of becoming homeless to connect them to services they need to get on the path to self-sufficiency. Proof of service or military ID is required to access the free services that will be offered.

In an effort to comply with social distancing recommendations because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stand Down will be held in the parking lot south of the old Carson’s store at the mall, and people can drive through.

Proof of service or military identifcation is required to access the free services that will be offered.