Stand down may expand to help civilians as well

PLAINS – The Tri-state Veterans Stand Down took up the majority of the Sanders County Fair Commission meeting on Wednesday as organizer Billy Hill hoped to secure the grounds for another year and maybe even expand the services to the community.

Hill received a request from the office of Congressman Steve Daines to hold another stand down type event that aims at helping people at minimum wage and poverty level.

“It’s kind of like the standown but it’s for civilian people,” explained Hill. 

Hill requested the board donate the facility for both the Tri-State Veterans Stand down as well as the other civilian stand down, if indeed Hill decided to proceed with it. 

Hill explained the civilian stand down would benefit the locals, many who are in need of an event like this.

“Minimum wage and low-income people are slipping through the cracks and getting into dangerous economic situations. I think all of us have watched around enough. We are starting to see that seeping onto our streets,” explained Hill. “What they are trying to do is send in supplies and resources in here, not money, but actual stuff they could use.”

Hill explained the event would provide bathroom items, bedding, sleeping bags and clothing. 

Although intrigued by the idea, the fair commission decided to first deal with the veterans stand down before making a commitment to host another standown for civilians.

Last year the veterans stand down in Plains was named the largest in the nation, yielding national attention. Hill and his team of 150 volunteers donated their time and sorted through 2 ½ million dollars worth of goods – all of which were donated to the veterans that came through.

“This is all charity work. Everybody that does the stand down and would be involved in this event puts in their meals, their gas, everything is on them to do handout, charity work,” said Hill. “It’s just a little bit too much. We can’t afford to pay for the grounds too.” 

The buildings needed to house the supplies for the stand down would rent out for approximately $2,500, however, after a lack of response and donations from the government, that cost is too much for Hill to dish out on his own. He did explain that a fundraiser would help raise money for any expenses acquired during the time, such as electrical usage. 

“(The fairgrounds) is the only facility big enough,” said Hill.

Jim Willis, the organizer of the stand down in Dillon, accompanied Hill and explained this event is one of a kind.

“The stand down is different than any other 501c3 event that you have in here,” explained Willis. “The standown will bring in over a million dollars of goods and services to your community in one shot. It costs you nothing, but we have to have somewhere to do it.”

Hill stated there are benefits when a spot is secured early and when supplies are ordered early. 

“If you’re up front and early, you have a wide selection – a big menu,” said Hill. 

Hill said he could cut the storage time down to two months if need be. He also said this year the event will have half a million dollars in extra supplies, boosting the grand total to $3 million worth of goods.

The board was unsure of whether they should tie up the grounds for that long when another organization could possibly rent one of the buildings, generating money for the fairgrounds. 

Fair Manager Mike Hashisaki recommended the fair board wait until they make a recommendation. He stated that the Veteran’s Administration has been tasked with creating a break down of the last two military standowns.

“Once you get that (information) you can sit down and make probably a fairly decent decision on it,” said Hashisaki. He also stressed that his job is to run the place as a business.

“You don’t give away the grounds for three months for nothing and I’m retired military,” explained Hashisaki. 

Chairman of the board, Christ McGuigan said the board had to take the request under consideration.

“We’re not saying you’re not going to get it. We’re just going to work through this,” said McGuigan. “We’re not against you, we’re for you. We want to help you but we have to make sure our expenses are covered if we are going to tie the buildings up for that long. If we have a chance to rent them for $500 a month, that’s $500 a month that we don’t get that we need.”

Since there is no board meeting in December, McGuigan told Hill a decision may not be made until January 15th, the next board meeting. 

Hill closed his part of the meeting by urging the fair commission to help.

“I sure hope you guys can help me out because if you can’t do anything and I have to pay that kind of money…I’m going to have to drop the standown,” said Hill.