The American Legion is leading an effort to hold a Sept. 23-25 event to help area homeless veterans with needed services.

“We’re still in preliminary stages,” said Johnny Varner, Post 328 commander and event coordinator. “We’re trying to use this initial event to have a coalition in North Georgia of all (veteran) service groups.”

He said the American Legion is trying to include such groups as the Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America and Disabled American Veterans in “Stand Down 2011.”

“We’ve got a big logistical piece we’re looking at. We’re trying to prepare ourselves for at least 500 veterans,” Varner said. “... We still have to create the density of those services that are out there that they need.”

The event could involve the court system, Social Security Administration andInternal Revenue Service. Officials from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs could help veterans with processing paperwork and acquiring identification cards.

“We’ll try to get some alliances with the health department and (Gainesville-based ministry) Good News at Noon,” Varner said.

Also, various groups could help with basic needs, such as food, housing, clothing and haircuts.

“We’re just trying to get some momentum going. We’re going to try to have a fundraiser ... and hopefully, we can get some other organizations (involved), like the civic groups — Rotary, Lions Club, whoever wants to get on board.

“Generally, Hall County and Gainesville rally around things like this, and I think this is a good project.”

A similar event took place last year in Atlanta and recently in Columbus.

“Those are way out of our service area,” Varner said. “We’ve got some strong veteran service groups in Hall County and we want to make this is a hub (for the area).”

Groups are looking to stage the event in South Hall.

“We’re trying to nail down the location,” Varner said.

Such events have taken place nationwide through the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

The original Stand Down was modeled after the concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations, according to the organization’s website.

The local event got started with an e-mail from former Hall County Commissioner Deborah Mack. She sent Varner some grant information she thought might be useful for the effort.

“I just wasn’t sure what I needed to do to get it done,” Varner said. “I ran into another veteran and we decided that we would just have to make it work.”

Mack said she is glad the effort is moving along.

“There are a lot of veterans out there who need help and I know that there are some who are homeless,” she said.