Travis L. Williams Post 65 Legionnaires’ Free COVID-19 Testing Expands to Cesar Chavez Park
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- American Legion Post and City of Phoenix to Establish New Coronavirus Drive-thru Site in Addition to SMCC
As Arizona’s statewide positive coronavirus cases near the 150,000 mark, Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65in partnership with the City of Phoenix and District 7 Councilman Nowakowski are announcing the addition of a second testing site, the Cesar Chavez Park (7858 S. 35th Ave.). The initiative’s second location will offer free drive-thru tests Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. from July 28-August 8.
The Post, along with other partners, launched the free drive-thru coronavirus testing event on Thursday, July 2 at South Mountain Community College (7050 S. 24th St.) Due to the high demand for tests and the state’s recent spike in cases, the testing sites and dates have both been increased. The SMCC site will continue to be active under updated days and hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Saturday, August 8, with the schedule changes taking effect on July 28.
“Our post of committed veterans, veteran spouses and veteran children have all taken the oath to serve their country in one way or another, and now it’s time for us to serve our communities too,” says Post Commander Jarvis Reddick, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran. “There has always been a massive need in our neighborhoods, but due to the pandemic, we are dedicating ourselves to keeping our community members healthy during this difficult time with the launch of the second testing site.”
“Because numbers continue to rise, our mission is to ensure that the underserved South Phoenix neighborhoods receive the help they need to stay safe during this pandemic,” says U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran, Travis L. Williams Post 65 Third Vice Commander, and HeroZona Foundation Founder Alan “AP” Powell. “Because of the massive influx of people who came out to the first round of testing days, we are responding by not only extending the dates by four weeks, but adding a second location to help manage the lines and reduce wait time for all.”
“As coronavirus continues to gravely impact our state, the need for free, accessible testing remains a priority,” says Councilman Nowakowski. “Thanks to the Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65, Phoenix residents will have multiple days of free, drive-thru testing at Cesar Chavez Park. No ID is required, and registration is not necessary. This testing site is another great example of the ‘Team Phoenix’ approach. By working together we can provide needed resources to our community.”
“This event is incredibly important to the Sons of American Legion because we want to allow our veterans to continue providing and protecting our communities, and they need to be healthy to do so,” says Dennis E. Prince Sr., S.A.L. commander. “As a group that helps uplift those in need, the drive-thru testing has created a much-needed additional resource for our families.”
“Being a group that works to support the underserved neighborhoods of South Phoenix every day, we have seen firsthand the negative impact that coronavirus has had in our community,” says Toye Stokes, Madame President of the American Legion Auxiliary and Legionnaires. “Many families have lost jobs, and in turn, health insurance. Offering this service to them free of cost relieves the burden of not having access of medical aid.”
The testing will continue to be conducted by Lab24, a family owned business located in South Florida that operates nationally with a focus in molecular testing. There is no pre-registration or appointment necessary to get tested at the community event and tests will be available until supplies run out. Those who wish to get tested must have a valid ID or insurance card, if applicable. Upon registration, attendees will be asked to verify their address, email, phone number, ethnicity, marital status and blood transfusion history. Attendees do not need to have symptoms to be tested but will be asked to state them if they do.
The test will only check for viral symptoms, not antibodies. If attendees test positive, they will be notified via phone from a Lab24 telemedicine doctor within seven to 10 business days. If attendees test negative, they will receive an email from Lab24 in the same amount of time. The sender will be from “contact@copernicusmd.com” and the subject will be “Covid-19 Real-Time PCR (attendee name).” Attendees are advised to check spam mail as results may populate in their spam folder. For additional questions, attendees can call Lab24’s customer service line at 800-641-0133.
Strategic supporters helping the Post’s effort include Feeney Family Charities, Cox, Arizona District 27 Representative Reginald Bolding, Snell and Wilmer Law Offices, Laveen Elementary School District, Chicanos Por La Causa, Noral Clean Technologies, Prensa Arizona, La Campesina 101.9, Mega 104.3, 101.1 The Beat, and Recover 180 Performance Enhancing Drink and Eternal Spring Water, provided by Crescent Crown Distributing.
For more information about Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65 and all its programs, visit twilliamspost65.org.
About Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65
The Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65 is made up of 900 members, including the Sons of the American Legion, Legionnaires and Auxiliary. The Legion Post 65 supports and hosts annual community programs for the South Phoenix community in partnership with the HeroZona Foundation. Community programs include Phoenix Tools 4 School, Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway, Holiday Bike Giveaways, Celebrating the Dream, Memorial Day Barbecue, Play It Forward, Veterans Reach to Teach and the Forgotten Heroes Breakfast. For more information about the Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65, visit twilliamspost65.org.
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