Monica Diaz and her volunteers spent two days folding and hanging clothes to be handed out to veterans. Within hours Saturday, most had disappeared into former military members’ packs as she happily watched. 

The Gold Star mother marked her 12th year overseeing the area filled with donated clothing, shoes and more for the Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down on Saturday at the Santa Maria Fairpark.

She’s among hundreds of volunteers who ensure Stand Down succeeds as it aims to help veterans, especially those who are homeless, get connected to services along with supplying boots, clothing and other needed items.

“Our veteran population in many ways is invisible,” Diaz said, before pointing out a smiling veteran leaving with his new shoes and clothing.

“We need to help them. It’s our responsibility to help them as much as we can,” said Diaz, who wears a bracelet with son Marine Cpl. Joseph Heredia’s name and rank. Stand Down this year fell weeks before the 20th anniversary of his death after being badly injured in Iraq.

Seeing the smiles or being thanked by veterans at the event fulfill her, Diaz said while talking to Vandenberg representatives.

The total number of veterans helped at the 2024 Stand Down will be tallied in the coming weeks, but those who pre-registered for the event spanned from ages 22 to 94, coordinator Sandy Agalos said.

“I think it’s a great success,” she added. 

Organizers continue to get broad support for Stand Down, Agalos said, explaining two dog groomers from Atascadero in northern San Luis Obispo County volunteered their services for Saturday — “Isn’t that cool?” 

She also shared that an online store selling military surplus items relocated and donated pallets of jackets and more given away during Stand Down.

Stand Down leader Steve Lavagnino, chair of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, said a smaller number of homeless veterans at Stand Down equates to success for the event and broader efforts to get them help. 

“I just know since we started this there are so many more resources now and community-based organizations that have made homelessness a focal point,” Lavagnino added.

Inside another fairpark building, dozens of service providers stood ready to assist veterans in various ways.

For instance, attorney Maria Martino from the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office, said she and her colleagues remained ready to help veterans clear their record of legal cases. They also offered to help those who have active warrants and outstanding fines and fees.

“We’re able to meet with them and get them identified as veterans so that when we go into court we can let the court know they’re veterans because now we have so many more legal options,” she said. 

Identifying veterans can help lead to cases being referred to a treatment court to ensure former military members receive the assistance they need, Martino added. 

As they arrived Saturday, veterans attending Stand Down were paired with military members from Vandenberg Space Force Base to serve as escorts — and, at times, pack mules, carrying what could be huge bags filled with clothing, shoes and more. 

After helping organize the donated clothing Thursday, Lt. Anna Ford, from the 2nd Space Launch Squadron at Vandenberg, said it marked her first time volunteering and attending Stand Down. 

On Saturday, she chatted with Army veteran Jack Armstrong while both waited in the lunch line.

“It’s awesome. It’s a lot more homey than I thought it would be. I love that we get to connect on a personal level,” she said. 

Armstrong, who spent 33 years on active duty and in the reserves, said he had heard about events like Stand Down but found it beyond what he imagined.

“It’s incredible,” he said.  

“I see a whole lot of people that love this country, and that’s inspiring,” Armstrong added.

The county’s 13th Veterans Stand Down will take place Oct. 25, 2025.