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Not long ago, Bent Tree resident Kirk Kondos was approached by Pickens Commissioner Robert Jones with an opportunity. Apparently there was a need in the county for a Veterans Information and Referral Office (VIRO). Kondos accepted the challenge without a second thought and got to work on getting an office up and running. With the help of many volunteers, they are now helping vets get the assistance they need.
If you’ve ever had to deal with the Veterans Affairs office (formerly the Veterans Administration) --- you’d know it’s not always an easy proposition. Enter the VIRO. This office, staffed solely by volunteers, can assist vets by untangling the red tape.
Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week, the office staff, mostly veterans themselves, will help with anything from how to get on with the VA to lending a sympathetic ear. It seems a lot of vets have problems or questions about their benefits and eligibility. The VIRO is armed with the knowledge that can answer questions and, in some cases, speed up the process.
Kondos stated, “It’s still the VA, so it doesn’t happen overnight.” Nonetheless, they can get you headed down the right path. “ An awful lot of vets just want to talk,” he continued, and the volunteers are glad to take the time to listen.
Commissioner Jones has generously donated the office space at 1258 East Church Street in Jasper, near the Pickens County Investigative Office, and for the last four months have been assisting Pickens County’s veterans. The question was soon raised: what about the Dawson County half of Big Canoe? That opened the door for Jones to welcome all veterans from surrounding areas to the Pickens location.
Over the course of the last four months, the VIRO has helped 220 veterans get the answers they needed and that number will continue to grow. For additional information or to get your VA questions answered, contact the office at (706) 253-7790.
There was a need in the county for a Veterans Information and Referral Office (VIRO).
By Melissa LowrieThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Not long ago, Bent Tree resident Kirk Kondos was approached by Pickens Commissioner Robert Jones with an opportunity. Apparently there was a need in the county for a Veterans Information and Referral Office (VIRO). Kondos accepted the challenge without a second thought and got to work on getting an office up and running. With the help of many volunteers, they are now helping vets get the assistance they need.
If you’ve ever had to deal with the Veterans Affairs office (formerly the Veterans Administration) --- you’d know it’s not always an easy proposition. Enter the VIRO. This office, staffed solely by volunteers, can assist vets by untangling the red tape.
Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week, the office staff, mostly veterans themselves, will help with anything from how to get on with the VA to lending a sympathetic ear. It seems a lot of vets have problems or questions about their benefits and eligibility. The VIRO is armed with the knowledge that can answer questions and, in some cases, speed up the process.
Kondos stated, “It’s still the VA, so it doesn’t happen overnight.” Nonetheless, they can get you headed down the right path. “ An awful lot of vets just want to talk,” he continued, and the volunteers are glad to take the time to listen.
Commissioner Jones has generously donated the office space at 1258 East Church Street in Jasper, near the Pickens County Investigative Office, and for the last four months have been assisting Pickens County’s veterans. The question was soon raised: what about the Dawson County half of Big Canoe? That opened the door for Jones to welcome all veterans from surrounding areas to the Pickens location.
Over the course of the last four months, the VIRO has helped 220 veterans get the answers they needed and that number will continue to grow. For additional information or to get your VA questions answered, contact the office at (706) 253-7790.
