COEUR d'ALENE - The 21st annual North Idaho Veterans Stand Down to assist area veterans and their families in need happens 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

"The event is held to provide services to homeless and disadvantaged veterans in the five northern counties," said Kecia Siegel, North Idaho College's veterans coordinator.

Major sponsors are: St. Vincent de Paul, American Legion Post 143, United Way of Kootenai County and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans will receive services from organizations that provide medical, dental, counseling, housing, clothing and food assistance. Vets should bring some form of military identification.

Lakewood Animal Hospital will be available to provide free examinations and pet care. Diana Clark from Organic Stylist will be there to do haircuts. Bob Peterson will perform bike repairs.

Those interested in volunteering should register at kootenaiunitedway.org.

If you are interested in donating to the event, checks may be made out to the North Idaho Veterans Stand Down and mailed to St. Vincent de Paul, 201 E. Harrison Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814. All donations are tax-deductible, and 100 percent of funds raised helps provide assistance to veterans throughout the year.

For information about the Stand Down or veteran assistance, contact St. Vincent de Paul veteran services coordinator Eric Swanbeck at 704-0548.

Other sponsors are: Catholic War Veterans Post 1950, Idaho Forest Group, Buck Knives, Coeur d' Alene Kiwanis, Cannon Hill Industries, Kootenai County Fairgrounds, Disabled American Veterans, Second Harvest, U-Rent, U.S. Submarine Veterans Farragut Base, L.A. Aluminum, Safeway, The Coeur d'Alene Press, Shenango Screen Printing, Mica Flats Grange, Fedora Pub and Grille, Rossi Insurance, Stoddard Chiropractic, VFW Post 889, Elks Lodge 1254, StandOut Printing, Lake City Rental, Dr. Charles Cardarelli, Northern Lakes Fire, Ragan Equipment, Eclipse Traffic and Control, Pepsico, American Legion Auxiliary Post 149, Rathdrum Lions Club, Kootenai Coffee, Texas Roadhouse, Coeur d'Alene Realtors, Ruby Frog Entertainment, Ready Ice, Cabelas, Big R and Black Sheep.