Many veterans are not aware of benefits offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

To help remedy the situation, a One VA Outreach Health Fair is being held at the Good Samaritan Hospital Building on Sat., July 24.

The event is being sponsored by Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS).

The goal of the health fair is to educate veterans not enrolled for health care in underserved areas in the benefits to which they are entitled.

Selma is considered to be such an area, according to Damon Stevenson, CAVHCS public affairs officer for the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System, based in Montgomery.

“We want to get the word out to veterans and to make them aware of their benefits,” Stevenson said.

The health fair is targeted to eligible veterans not currently enrolled in VA health care and enrolled veterans wanting additional health information and/or screening.

Activities offered at the event that will last from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. are enrollment and registration; preventive health education; health-care screening – including health history and physical; screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, mental health, dental, nutrition and social work; podiatry and eye exams; information on eligibility, health benefits, TeleHealth, sexual trauma counseling, pharmacy benefits, veteran services, Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom benefits, the VA national cemetery program, and veterans benefits such as home loans, vocational rehabilitation, compensation and pension exams.

Stevenson explained that the Department of Veterans Affairs has three units: Health Care, Benefits and Cemetery.

The “One VA” refers to the three units and the fact that the One VA Outreach Health Fair will provide information to veterans and interested family members of veterans regarding all aspects of the veterans program.

The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System was established seven years ago. It includes the Montgomery and Tuskegee VA medical centers in addition to outpatient clinics in Dothan and Columbus, Ga. Through these four sites 134,000 veterans are served in 43 counties in the central and southeastern portions of Alabama and western Georgia.

According to CAVHCS materials, its vision is to be the preferred veterans’ health-care provider for all

eligible veterans and customers.

The health fair will take place in the office of Dr. Charles Lett, located

on the 2nd floor, Suite 200, of the Good Samaritan Hospital Building,1107 Voeglin Ave.

For additional information about the event, contact Faye Rayford-Outsey at (334) 272-4670.