District Attorney Hoovler joined Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System to create a Coalition to Prevent Veterans from Committing Suicide in November 2021

District Attorney David M. Hoovler, and both Carl LoFaro and Lenox Okall from the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System announced that the Orange County Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition will put out a veteran information table during Summer Fest CFFCM 2024 on Saturday August 3rd, 2024, and Sunday August 4th, 2024, to hand out veteran crisis materials and veteran benefit information. This everything fly-fishing event features free entry to all exhibits and the museum. The event runs from 10 am until 5pm both days at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum located at 1031 Old Route 17 Livingston Manor, New York. The coalition has already placed over 43,000 suicide prevention materials in over 1,128 businesses and organizations located in and near Orange County, New York. Many Sullivan County businesses like CFFCM and Trout Town Flies have been handing out veteran crisis materials as well.  The coalition hopes to reach even more people with their message at this year’s Summer Fest CFFCM 2024.  In addition, the Orange County District Attorney’s office will have booklets to pass out on preventing senior citizen fraud and materials on the opioid crisis with a view towards preventing drug use and overdose by our young people. 

The Orange County Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition is trying to reach as many veterans and their families as possible with their suicide prevention message.  Since fishing events draw large crowds, many of whom are veterans, this event is a great place to meet veterans who might not have seen the materials we have placed out in public already.  Representatives of the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System, and an Orange County ADA will be on site if anyone would like to discuss the information in our handouts or set up a future meeting to speak to a group live about suicide prevention. The coalition has already been to several veteran organizations and sportsmen’s clubs to speak about suicide prevention and are looking to speak to more interested groups in the future. 

“I am proud of the work that the Orange County Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition has done for Orange County veterans and their families in addition to helping veterans and their families in surrounding counties. This has been possible because of the strong support that has been provided to the coalition by the citizens and businesses of Orange and Sullivan Counties including the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum and Trout Town Flies.” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. Please come out to Summer Fest CFFCM 2024 and support the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum!   If you or your organization would like any veteran crisis materials or information about any of the other Veterans groups helping us in Orange County, please stop by our table. The coalition will be happy to assist you.  You can also contact Mr. Carl LoFaro of the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System at carl.lofaro@va.gov to get crisis materials sent to you or to set up a live meeting with your organization on this serious subject. Please contact Mr. Lenox Okall of the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System at lenox.okall@va.gov  if you need information on VA benefits. Please contact CFFCM at office@cffcm.com or call 1 (845) 439 – 4810 if you would like information on Summer Fest CFFCM 2024.   Enjoy this great fly-fishing event!