Veterans bring awareness to benefit check-ins with disc golf clinic

NILES, Mich. – Jones Park was alive with the sound of clanging baskets and discs on Sunday as veterans gathered together for a disc golf clinic.

The event was co-organized by local veterans and the Berrien County Veterans Service Office as a way of bringing awareness to local resources that veterans may not know they’re eligible for.

One of the event's organizers, Anthony Griffis, is a veteran himself, and was surprised to see what benefits he was eligible for.

"It's definitely eye-opening to see what kind of different things are available to you as a veteran, even after the military." said Griffis.

According to Director of the Berrien County Veterans Service Office, Maureen Adams, just 18% of the more than 8,400 vets that live in Berrien County have engaged with their post-military benefits.

The BCVS has been working with larger veteran association groups through grants to hold small-to-medium-sized engagement events throughout the county this summer.

On top of encouraging veterans to schedule meetings with their local service offices, organizers also hoped to introduce more county residents to the rapidly expanding sport of disc golf as a calming activity.

Berrien county veterans who want to learn more about benefits that they could be eligible for can find out more information here: Veteran Services | Berrien County, MI