Helping Hands: DCSO and MVCS Collaborate to Support Veterans in Need of Vaccinations

Beginning in February 2021, the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office provides weekly transportation to participants of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ Veteran Advocacy Program, picking up veterans on-island and travelling to Hyannis and back, where they are able to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine through the Hyannis VA Medical Clinic.

“We are pleased to support our Island’s veterans and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services with our Community Outreach initiatives.”, says Sheriff Robert Ogden. “Safe and reliable access to the COVID-19 vaccine is essential to the health and safety of our community’s veteran population.”

“Veteran’s Advocacy Program participants who qualify to receive the vaccine travel three at a time with a Deputy in an unmarked DCSO van to the clinic in Hyannis and back, for their first and second doses”, says Major Sterling Bishop. “Everyone is spaced apart and wearing masks for safety, and complete screenings before boarding. It’s a fun ride; to be able to talk, laugh, and get to know each other. Participants are monitored for side effects once they receive their shots, then we all head home.”

The Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ Veterans Services Program provides a Readjustment Counseling Program for combat veterans suffering from the trauma of their military service during war time, as well as Veterans Outreach/Advocacy Services, for all Vineyard military veterans who have served their country.  The program is led by Tom Bennett, Director of Veteran Services and Bob Tankard, Veterans Outreach Worker and Advocate.

“Presently our outreach services are helping veterans to survive the pandemic by providing to those in need with food cards and gas cards. We have also formed a ‘Veterans Advisory Committee’  to help us assess and prioritize the needs of the veteran community.”, explains Tom Bennett, Director of Veteran Services. “Recently we initiated the effort to establish a transportation service for veterans to receive their coronavirus vaccinations at the VA Medical Clinic, Hyannis, MA. We reached out to Sheriff Ogden for help, and he did not hesitate to give the Island veterans a helping hand. He has assigned his Deputy, Sterling Bishop, to coordinate the transport of our veterans on a weekly basis.”  Bennett also recognizes and thanks the MV Public School System for assisting with transportation while the DCSO collaboration was being arranged.

In addition to the Veterans Advocacy Program collaboration, current Dukes County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach initiatives include the We Have Your Number program, Project Lifesaver, Law Enforcement Against Drugs programming, the DARE Ropes Challenge Course, monthly meal delivery and distribution support for the Serving Hands program, and more. To learn more about DCSO’s Community Outreach Programming, visit www.dukescountysheriff.com. For more information about MVCS’ Veteran’s Advocacy Program, visit www.mvcommunityservices.org/services/veterans-services.