In 2015, Southwestern Community Services, led by their Supportive Services for Veterans Program staff members John Rider and Matt Primrose, held the first Cheshire County Veterans Summit & Stand Down. The event featured representatives from several local service agencies that shared information and resources for area veterans, in an effort to make them aware of, and to provide easy access to the region’s many services available to them. The event was a tremendous success, with hundreds of veterans in attendance. SCS would continue to host the event annually for the next four years, the last being in September of 2018.
Fast forward to 2022… Southwestern Community Services partnered with the Keene Family YMCA to bring this valuable resource back to the community. The event was a success with more than 100 veterans in attendance, and each year since it has grown.
The 2026 Cheshire County Veterans Expo will take place on Saturday, September 12th from 10am-1pm at the Keene Family YMCA.
By hosting the event on a Saturday, organizers are hopeful that more families will be able to attend and take advantage of the many valuable resources available at the event, while enjoying a day of recognition and camaraderie.
Representatives from several agencies will be on hand to share information and resources, and all veterans in attendance are invited to enjoy a free lunch, which will be served from 11am-1pm.
Veterans can also get a free haircut while they’re at the expo, courtesy of Jed’s Barber Shop.
There will be several raffle prizes, thanks to the generosity of local businesses who donated to the event.
This free event will take place rain or shine. To learn more, or if you’re interested in exhibiting at the expo or making a donation, please reach out to Mick Blume at mblume@keene-ymca.org or call 603.283.5256.
2024 Event Sponsors
