IBEW 1245 Members and Veterans, Mike Tilden, Steve Ramirez, Kaycee King and Neil Norris on hand to represent our union and help fellow Veterans.
The IBEW 1245 Veterans Committee proudly joined forces with dozens of community partners at this year’s Sacramento Veteran Stand Down, held September 30th to October 2nd at the Volunteers of America Veterans Service Center at Mather Field. Over three days, the event delivered life-changing resources for at-risk and homeless veterans across Northern California.
Opening ceremonies included remarks from Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, who recognized the partners and volunteers powering the Stand Down and underscored the county’s commitment to connecting Veterans with housing, health services, and dignified employment.
Organized by the Sacramento Stand Down Association, the event brought together more than 40 organizations and service providers to offer on-site medical, dental, and vision care, haircuts, housing and employment support, and essential supplies including pet supplies, clothing, and cold-weather gear free of charge to those who have proudly served our nation.
Max Baumgartner, Sacramento Stand Down Emeritus Board Member speaking during Opening Ceremonies.
Outside, a long line of tents and service vehicles demonstrated the scale of collaboration and compassion that defines the Sacramento Stand Down each year. “This event shows them that there is hope,” said Max Baumgartner, an Emeritus Board Member with the Stand Down. “No one who served this country should ever have to live on the street.”
IBEW Local 1245’s Veterans Committee hosted a booth throughout the event, engaging with fellow Veterans and sharing information about the benefits of union careers in the electrical industry. Committee members Kaycee King, Steve Ramirez, Neil Norris, and Mike Tilden distributed IBEW 1245 materials and helped Veterans navigate pathways toward good union jobs with family-supporting wages and benefits.
“Assisting our country’s Veterans however I’m able to is something I greatly enjoy doing,” Veterans Committee and IBEW 1245 E-Board Member Steve Ramirez commented. “I’m especially honored to represent IBEW 1245 in this capacity and look forward to continuing to do so at future events.”
“Events like this are exactly why our Committee exists,” said Veterans Committee Chair Mike Tilden. “It’s about making sure every Veteran knows they have a place in our IBEW family, and a chance to build a stable, dignified career once they come home.”
Volunteers of America Facility
Last year’s Stand Down served more than 540 veterans, many of whom were connected to permanent housing or new job opportunities, and organizers expected this year’s turnout to surpass that milestone.
The IBEW 1245 Veterans Committee remains committed to its guiding mission: Leave No Veteran Behind. By partnering with organizations like Volunteers of America and the Sacramento Stand Down Association, the Committee continues to honor that promise one Veteran at a time.