John J. Pershing VA Medical Center and area businesses will kick off veterans appreciation week Saturday.
The VA will hold an open house, town hall and community Health on Wheels Day from noon to 3 p.m. at the main campus, while businesses have already begun showing support for veterans.
First Missouri State Bank and others in the community have placed yellow ribbons outside their locations, part of an effort started by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.
These displays will help celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11, according to the chamber.
"We just really wanted to show support to the veterans in our community," said loan officer Zack Stricker, of First Missouri State Bank. "They're important to our everyday lives. They're our customers, our co-workers, they're our friends and our family.
"We'd like to personally thank all of the veterans of our community and country."
The event Saturday at the VA will include facility tours, food, door prizes, service demonstrations, information booths and tax-free shopping at the canteen.
Southern Missouri Community Veterans Engagement (CVEB) board will also be on hand to gather information about veterans and service needs.
"We appreciate all of our local sponsors, and invite the community to join us for all sorts of fun and demonstrations," said Dr. Patricia Hall, VA medical center director. "This is also a good chance to meet the CVEB members, and provide feedback to medical center leadership."
A children's bike decorating contest for grades fourth through sixth will include prizes such as laser tag and a Monster High School bus. Bikes should be decorated when they arrive. Judging will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a short bicycle parade led by VA police. Awards will be presented at 1 p.m.
A bike safety demonstration will be conducted by a local expert and a limited number of free children's bike helmets will be distributed.
Also at 1 p.m., the national AMBUCS organization, which provides therapeutic tricycles for people with disabilities, will donate two AmTrykes to local veterans. These are adaptive bicycles.
The Veterans Canteen Service store will be open for the event. Customers do not have to be veterans and can order numerous items for tax-free purchase, according to the VA.
Staff will be able to enroll veterans in VA health care programs during the event. Representatives of the Veterans Benefits Administration from the St. Louis Regional Office will also be on hand. This office addresses service-connected disability claims.
Veterans appreciation week runs through Nov. 11.
Shoe Sensation will also begin collection Saturday of "Socks for Troops," which will run through the week of Thanksgiving. This is done in partnership with the VA. The community can donate any new pack of socks.
The businesses that have donated items for Saturday's event include:
* Laser tag, VFW Post 6477
* Gift certificates, Colton's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wallie's, ProNails, Boatner's car washes, Shoe Sensation, Walmart
* Light-up LED Bluetooth speaker, Big Lots
* $150 battery charger, The Home Depot
* tie-down straps, a steel mug, women's winter gloves, Heartland Express
* Six helmets, Country Cycles and Trek
* hats, Stihl
* hats and cozies, Baldwin