Upcoming Job Fair! The Best Part, You Don't Have to Leave the House!!!

Are you active duty, guard, reserves or a military spouse seeking employment? Veteran Recruiting has a few upcoming Virtual Career Fairs. The best part, you can check this out from the comfort of your own home. Be sure to dress to kill though because you will have to opportunity to meet live with dozens of America's most veteran friendly employers Register today! You will have the chance to chat live with recruiters, the ability to view as well as apply for jobs, and connect with other veterans and military spouses in the networking lounge. To ensure you are the most prepared for this upcoming virtual career fair login ahead of time to check out the companies prior to attending! Click here for more information about this events and more to come!

Have You Heard the News? We're Official!

Hello nonprofit lovers! Did you hear that we're official? We received our 501(c) letter and now we're looking to you to spread the word!

Are you looking to support a charity that is helping out veterans in a big way? Look no further! VeTSDC is now registered with Amazon Smile which helps charities by providing a percentage to charities that are registered with them. Our current goal is to raise funds so we can open a building which will provide counseling services, assistance with special needs children, and job placement. But we can't do that without your help! So if you have a moment to spare please share our link to AmazonSmile! It's as easy as logging into Amazon, clicking our link, and going about your usual Amazon shopping! Thank you for your continued support!

Resource Transition Fair!

Check out the upcoming resource fair! Open to Oak Harbor, Coupeville, South Whidbey School Districts. Encompassing elementary, middle, and high school. Transition students, families and providers are welcome!

Their focus is on:
          "Preparing students with intellectual and developmental disabilities for a smooth transition  
            from school to work & adulthood"–Resource Transition Fair

Even if you were able to make it to this last year they are offering new connections with different organization and representatives from agencies to answer those questions regarding life after high school.

Where: Coupeville High School 

501 S Main Street

Coupeville, WA

When: Tuesday, October 4th from 5:30-7:30pm

Who to Contact with Questions or to RSVP: 

Mike Etzell (360)678-7883 or email Susan Armstrong

A potato bar dinner is provided with Pre-Registration!

Special Needs Support Group

VeTSDC came across some information that we think you all might find pertinent. We are always on the lookout for great support groups and free services in the area. Here's what we've found:

Friends Helping Friends

Every third Thursday from 6-7:30pm Aptitude Habilitation Services hosts a support group for any all all who are raising a child with special needs. They're located at 31955 SR 20 in suite #3, childcare is provided but you will need to contact Stephanie. If you are seeking people to talk with that understand what you are going through then feel free to stop by. They also have a Facebook page if you want to see what it's all about. Find them at Whidbey Island Friends Helping Friends. If you have any questions regarding the program contact jaemee.w@tlcwhidbey.org.

Job Opportunity: Get PAID to PLAY!

ATTENTION! Immediate Job Openings with the Child Development Center!

Get Paid to Play All Day!

• Flexible Schedule
• Fun Atmosphere
• Job Growth Opportunities

Join their team today! Employee privileges include access to base facilities such as gyms, recreation centers, restaurants, and discount tickets to sporting and entertainment events!

For more information on how to apply visit Navy Life PNW or call the jobline at (360) 396-5533.

Longterm Care & Caregiver Support Benefits

Did you know that there was support available for veterans who need to be put in a long term care facility? Many veterans are able to receive this care, as well as assistance if you take a family member into your home who is a veteran. Also, there are death benefits as well. Veteran service members can receive a flag for their casket, a presidential memorial certificate, and offers free headstones markers or medallions.

Were you unable to obtain life insurance after you got out of the service? Well you can still obtain it if, you are 1 year and 120 days from date of separation. If you apply for coverage within 240 days of your date of separation, you will not need to answer health questions. Your SGLI will be converted to a VGLI, here's the link for more info Servicemembers' and Veterans' Group Life Insurance, with a possibility of receiving up to $400,000. Premiums are based upon the veterans age.

Have you heard of Accelerated Benefit Claims? The Accelerated Benefit Option gives terminally-ill SGLI, Family SGLI and VGLI policyholders access to the death benefits of their policies before they die. The member may receive a portion of the face value of the insurance in a lump sum payment.

"A member is eligible to receive an Accelerated Benefit if he/she or a covered spouse has a valid written prognosis from a physician of 9 months or less to live. Only the insured member may apply for an Accelerated Benefit. No one else can apply on the member's behalf. In the case of a terminally ill spouse, only the member may apply for accelerated benefits. The amount of Accelerated Benefit available to a member is up to 50% of the face value of the member's insurance coverage. If a member elects less than the maximum, the amount requested must be in increments of $5,000" (US Department of Veteran Affairs, 2014). 

Veteran Benefits: Washington State

Sometimes the amount of resources is so vast that we do not know which direction to go first. That's why VeTSDC thought this site would be beneficial. It highlights benefits for veterans, and some even help their family members, just specifically for Washington state all in one place.

Their website covers the Homeless Veterans Program, Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, State Veteran Homes, Veterans Estate Management Program, Property Tax Exemption, PTSD Counseling Programs, Cemeteries & Burial Services, Military Community License Plates, as well as discounts in the state of Washington.

To read a more in-depth description of each program, how to apply, and more follow the link.

The Whidbey Island Fair is Coming Up: It's Easy to Register!

Looking for something fun to do, or possibly to participate in? Look no further the Whidbey Island Fair is just around the corner! Click here for more information on the fair and how to register, including rules and deadlines. 

–Fair Association History–

"Roots of the Island County Fair go back to 1912, when it was established in Coupeville by a private company as the Island County Fair Association. But the fair needed to draw it’s audience from all of Whidbey Island, and for South Whidbey residents back then, the trip to Coupeville was dif cult and expensive. Traveling by horseback or carriage, it was a 20- to 30- mile journey, which necessitated an overnight stay. Excursion boats brought passengers from Camano Island and various points on Whidbey Island, but the fair attendance remained poor and the fair died out in 1916 for lack of support.

Langley resurrected the fair in 1917 on the town’s waterfront. In 1922, it was moved to the town’s school gymnasium, and the following year the fair was organized as a nonpro t organization funded by memberships. By the late 1920’s, there were better roads and auto travel. The fair prospered and in 1934 - one of the worst years of the Great Depression - the Fair Association built the pole building on property adjacent to the school. Using support from the WPA (Works Progress Administration), the Association purchased a six-acre chicken ranch near the school and construction began on a large fair building, completed in 1937. During the next three decades horse barns and exhibit halls were added.

The Fair Association deeded the fairgrounds to Island County in 1962 with the understanding that the property could not be sold without a majority vote of the island’s pioneer descendant’s. The Association continues to operate the fair (held annually in August) and members are proud that no tax dollars support it. The fairgrounds are located at 819 Camano Avenue in Langley."–Island County Fair Association  

Volunteers Needed!!!!

Looking to give back to the community? Oak Harbor Christian School is in need of volunteers for their upcoming yard sale. They need your help to setup, so if you're interested contact Laura or Liz for more information!

Mark Your Calendars: Job Opportunity Awaits!

Verizon is looking to fill 1400 jobs in the Northeast, and would like as many of them be filled by veterans and military spouses as possible.

They are searching for strong, dynamic leaders to serve as Fios Field Technicians, Call Center Technical Supervisors and Sales Call Center Managers in MD, PA, VA, NY and NJ.

This is virtual career fair it starts on July 13th from 1-3pm EST, click here to login.

2016 Retiree Appreciation Day in Oak Harbor WA–TODAY!

Looking for something to do today?

Military Retirees in the Pacific Northwest, clear your calendar today for the Navy Region Northwest Retiree Appreciation Day on 9 Jul 16 at Bakerview Restaurant and Chiefs' Club Ballroom, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, located at 1080 W. Ault Field Rd, Oak Harbor WA 98278.

The Navy Region Northwest Retiree Appreciation Day will start promptly at 0900 and end at 1200pm.  All military retirees and spouses are invited to attend.

Point of Contact Information:

Centralized Scheduling Office

Phone Number: 1-866-854-0638

Commitment | USMC Wounded Warrior

We hear this story all too often, that another service member was injured fighting for their country. However, this Marine was not going to let it keep him from doing what he loves, protecting our freedom.


"Burned over 74 percent of his body, his jaw shattered into 37 pieces and his left ulna broken, Gallegos’ goal seemed almost futile, but his core value of determination stayed strong."–American Military News


See for yourself why we feel proud to be Americans because we know that he is one of the many service members who protect our freedom everyday!

Read about it here!

Looking to Go Back to School? Check out Kaplan University's Scholarship

"The mission of the American Freedom Foundation (AFF) is to honor the men and women of our armed forces and to raise awareness of their service and sacrifice. In that proud spirit, Kaplan University and the AFF joined forces to offer scholarships designed to support both family members of current and prior U.S military service personnel and Department of Defense (DoD) Civilian employees and their family members (spouses and dependents)." –Kaplan University  

Their scholarship offers partial and full awards! More info on how to apply here!