Vets benefits

to be demystified

DANIELSON — Veterans: come and have your benefits questions answered at the Veterans Coffeehouse!  A representative from the state department of Veterans Affairs will be guest speaker at the next Veterans Coffeehouse on May 12 at the Killingly Community Center.  Jeannie Gardiner, a Veterans Service Officer with the Conn. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, will address veterans, family members, and caregivers on benefits veterans are entitled to but may not be receiving, and how to remedy those situations.  

The Coffeehouse runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Gardiner will speak at 9:30 a.m.  She is a native of Killingly and a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Middle East.  To accommodate the large audience expected on May 12, the Veterans Coffeehouse and Ms. Gardiner’s presentation will be held in the KCC Auditorium, 185 Broad St.

“This will be an excellent opportunity for veterans to have their questions answered,” Tom Pandolfi, a member of the Coffeehouse advisory board, said.  Pandolfi is an RSVP volunteer and American Legion service officer for the Soldiers, Sailors and Marine Fund. 

 The Veterans Coffeehouse has become a popular destination in its first month of operation.  Open on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, the Coffeehouse welcomed 24 vets on opening day (April 12)  and 29 vets on April 28, in addition to interested and supportive spouses and community officials.  During the recent Coffeehouse five veterans were signed up for benefits from the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund, helping fulfill one objective of the Coffeehouse’s mission which states:   “To provide a comfortable location for veterans—both men and women of any age—to meet, socialize, communicate and provide and discuss supported information regarding veterans benefits and services through state and federal agencies and programs.”

 The Veterans Coffeehouse is hosted by volunteers of RSVP, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA).