KIMBALL - In an effort to address the needs of local vets, the McDowell County Visitors and Veterans Center continues to expand its services.
Beginning Wednesday, April 15, Outreach Coordinator William Workman, LMSW, Beckley VA Medical Center, will be at the Visitors and Veterans Center from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to meet with homeless veterans.
A homeless vet is defined as any veteran who lives with a relative, in a motel, rented room, on the street or in a shelter.
According to V & V Center Board Chairman Manuel Horeluk, Jr., Workman’s long-range goal is to try to bring a doctor, nurse and special social worker to McDowell County to provide onsite medical care to local vets.
“Mr. Workman wants the doctor, nurse and social worker to provide the services to the vets where they are,” Horeluk said. “A lot of vets who live up the hollows and in the hills aren’t getting what they need. He wants to set something up where the providers would visit the vets, rather than having the vets come to them.”
All local vets are encouraged to visit the Visitors and Veterans Center April 15 and meet Workman, Horeluk said.
In sharing other V & V activities, Horeluk added that the center van Monday through Friday transports three to five veterans to the Beckley VA Hospital.
“We have vets from throughout the county who utilize the free van service but we don’t get too many calls from the Iaeger/Panther area,” Horeluk said. “If there are any vets in that area who need the service, all they have to do is call my Mom, Mildred Horeluk, our office manager, at 585-7738 and schedule free transportation to the Beckley VA Hospital.”
Additionally, the V & V Center distributes free supplies from its food bank on the third Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. The center will offer a free home cooked meal once per month, starting in May. In the way of offering free entertainment, future plans call for a Karaoke Night, beginning May 8, and 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. at the center.
Currently, VFW Post 8413 meets at the V & V center and is in the process of acquiring a laptop computer, which will be located there.

“We commend Post Commander Charles Cottle and Quartermaster Ron Wyatt for arranging for us to get the laptop from the VFW Post of West Virginia. The laptop will be at the center so that local residents can converse with their relatives in the military around the world, Horeluk said.
“Our mission is to serve as many vets as we can and to bring the veterans and the community together.”
Horeluk related that the V & V center can comfortably seat 100 people and that the outside park can easily hold an equal number. The V & V Center and park are available for rental for weddings, reunions, meetings and other gatherings, he said.
Rental fees, private donations and grants have made it possible for the center to provide free services to vets since it officially opened in June 2007.
“We’re always having some type of fundraiser,” Horeluk said. “Every Wednesday, Mom offers a dine in or carry out home cooked meal to raise money to pay for the insurance on the building. We’ll even deliver the meal if someone gives us a call at 585-7738.”
Horeluk added that a center Health Fair is slated for June 3 and that the Second Annual Coal Camp Reunion, in cooperation with the Kimball Kids Reunion, is scheduled for July 10 -12.