Annual Las Vegas event aims to help homeless veterans get back on their feet

Veteran David Czonka gets his beard shaved off by Masterpiece Barber School student Deyon Christie during the 13th annual U.S. Vets-Las Vegas Stand Down event at the Cashman Center, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Las Vegas. This year's event will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

U.S.VETS-Las Vegas and many co-sponsors will hold the 14th annual Veterans Stand Down on Wednesday to help homeless veterans combat life on the streets.

The event, running 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North, offers assistance with housing, employment, education, finances, access to military records, legal issues, counseling and medical, dental and vision care, along with showers and haircuts.

Stand Down 2017 is open to all veterans but is targeted at those without a place to live, at risk of losing their homes or needing employment.

There will also be nonperishable food and clothing available at the Stand Down store.

U.S.VETS-Las Vegas is a community-based intervention program aimed at helping homeless veterans make transitions from street life to self-supporting jobs.

The 2017 Veterans Stand Down presenting sponsor is The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Other major sponsors include MGM Resorts International and Jewish War Veterans Post No. 65. A Stand Down support grant also was provided by the U.S. Labor Department.