VA clinic, local veteran groups announce fall events; resource fair summit targeted for Feb. 2026

Representatives from the Laredo VA clinic and local veterans organizations on Oct. 14 outlined a calendar of fall events, ongoing clinic services and early plans for a community veterans resource fair slated for February 2026.

The calendar includes a VA health fair in Crystal City (Zavala County) this week, a legal clinic at the Laredo VA clinic on Oct. 28, flu shots currently available at the clinic lobby, a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 7 and a food drive on Nov. 13, officials said.

“It has not been put out, so the only shot that we have right now is the flu shots available for our veterans,” said Crystal Cavida, representing the VA clinic, describing current vaccine availability at the clinic and asking veterans to check with clinic staff if a nurse is not in the lobby.

David Garcia of the Webb County Veteran Service Office said his office is compiling event information into a single community calendar and listed other upcoming activities, including a Nov. 13 hiring/job fair and multiple campus events. “There’s a list of some events that people have brought into my office or email me, and then we’re just creating a calendar for it,” Garcia said.

Garcia and other organizers described plans for a larger veterans resource fair and summit to be held in February 2026, with an expected schedule of speakers and roughly 25 vendors under consideration. Organizers said they are exploring possible host sites including Texas A&M International University, the University of Texas Health Science Center sites in Laredo, and Laredo College.

Local nonprofit and business groups also announced community events and services for veterans. Norma, who identified herself as representing Immaculate Cut Barber Institute, said the institute will offer free haircuts and vouchers for veterans on Nov. 6 beginning at 6 p.m. at 5517 McPherson Road; the first 100 veterans will receive a goodie bag if they attend. Norma provided a contact number in the meeting for potential sponsors and said a digital flyer would be released after the meeting.

Other veterans organizations — including the VFW and local posts — described holiday and fundraising events, and noted recent community fundraising that supported the Martin High School JROTC program. Organizers said the JROTC team qualified to compete at a national Raider competition and that local fundraising had produced more than $3,000 for the program.

Organizers urged veterans to use available local services and to watch the consolidated calendar for updates. Garcia asked event organizers and community partners to submit events by email to the Webb County Veterans Service Office so the calendar can be shared with veterans and service members.

The announcements included contact details and dates: the legal clinic Oct. 28 at the VA clinic (10 a.m.–noon), the VA clinic Veterans Day event Nov. 7 (noon–2 p.m.), the food drive Nov. 13 (starting about 8:30 a.m., first-come first-served), the Immaculate Cut Barber Institute veteran haircut event Nov. 6 at 6 p.m., and a regional hiring fair on Nov. 13 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) at an area event center.

Organizers said they will continue to refine the February resource fair schedule and vendor list and will circulate details as they are confirmed.

Community members and organizations with event listings were asked to send details to the Webb County Veterans Service Office via email to Sophia Martinez (soMartinez@webcountytx.gov) or to speak with David Garcia’s office for inclusion on the calendar.

The meeting also included routine announcements and invitations to other local veterans events; participants encouraged veterans to check the calendar and clinic postings for the most current information.