COEUR d’ALENE— Around 800 active and retired servicemen came to the North Idaho Stand Down on Saturday. 

Haircuts, groceries, housing, counseling were a few of the offerings that over 100 volunteers and about 115 service providers provided for free to veterans at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Over 5,000 pounds of food, toiletries, and household items were donated. Most of it was gone by day's end.

“Here in Idaho, they care about their people,” said Nathan Cates, an Air Force veteran who came to access the resources, “You look around and everyone is smiling and happy, you don’t get to see that a lot of places,”

Many of the veterans were thankful for the services as well as the chance to have a sense of community.

“It is nice to feel appreciated,” said Bernie Schmidt, an Air Force veteran who received a free haircut.

The North Idaho Stand Down has become a service that many would like to emulate in other places, according to Jason Legler, a community resource specialist for the Idaho Division of Veteran Services. 

“What they are doing here is something we want to mimic across Idaho. There are so many veterans that don’t take advantage of the benefits,” he said. 

Events like the one in Coeur d’Alene have begun to pop up in places like Spokane and Boise.

Young Marines and Civil Air Patrol members assisted veterans by carrying groceries and helping them get around. 

Bernie Schmidt, a former Marine, was happy about the services for veterans.

"If there is a way you can get help, it’s here,” he said. 

Jessica Christensen, a Navy veteran, thinks events like this help outreach in the community.

“This kind of brings out those who don’t know about these services. They are very important services that just want to help. We have a fantastic community, it is all about giving back,” she said.