About Walking Down Ranch
Veterans Village
Lakeside

I. 2012 Walking Down Ranch was a dream of Maggie Heath, Alfred and Ann Avenenti. We assisted Veterans at the Concho Food Bank. We successfully received  our 501(C)(3) in 2014.  Tried to clean and build on a property way out in a rural area unsuccessfully.
Then in late  2017 the East Mesa Fire Department offered us the Old Rainbow Lodge. Consisting of 18 cabins, an old house, (now the office) and our new veteran Outreach Center, formerly our first Thrift Store.
All cabins were vandalized and had to be stripped, cleaned, refurbished,  new windows, cabinet repairs, stoves, refrigerators, screen doors, exterior doors repaired and furnished. We started one cabin at a time to complete the work.
 
All new water main, sewer lines were completed, a new septic system installed, and all cabins were renovated and livable.
 
With all of this by October 2021, we have had 178 Veterans and their families transition in our program. Hundreds of pounds of food have been distributed. And the Veterans Village mortgage was paid off in 3 years and 10 months.
 
Since then our legal statutory agent has secured the property to be Veteran Transitional housing forever.
Protecting a safe place for our White Mountain Veterans forever.
 
There are 18 cabins, laundry facility, Veteran Outreach Center and office on 3.66 acres in beautiful Lakeside, Arizona. In the midst of City accomodations, hospitals, shopping, library, schools, V.A. services and lots of community activities.
 
Over 2200 Veterans and families have been served with housing, food Boxes, furnishings, clothing, assisted after house fires, loss of family members. Eleven pieces of property have been given to Veterans to rebuild their lives.
 
Applications must be acquired and submitted for housing assistance. Office hours are Monday through Friday 10-4 by appointment.
Call Maggie at ,602-689-8056.

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Serving Veterans is What We Do

Walking Down Ranch, Veterans Village-Lakeside is a unique community offering veterans and their families an array of services including transitional housing, food, clothes, utilities, medical transportation, phones, medications, and holiday boxes.
Since being recognized as a 501(c)(3)  in 2014, we have assisted more than 650 veterans in the White Mountains.

Serving Veterans is What We Do

Residents of Walking Down Ranch, Veterans Village-Lakeside, have an opportunity to learn valuable
vocational skills; skills that can lead to meaningful employment.
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The majority of the veterans residing in Veterans Village, will take an active role in the upkeep and maintenance of their
cabin as well as their community. Landscaping, repair, retail management, and the culinary arts are just a few of the skills at
​which veterans can choose to become proficient while residing at Veterans Village.

Veterans Village-Lakeside subscribes to the saying, “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach a man to fish feed him for a lifetime.”
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If you are a business owner interested in providing a job or an internship to a qualified veteran,
​please contact Maggie Heath at (602) 689-8056.

​Thank you, Mike Taylor, Dawn Moreno, John Hutchens, and Clinton Misner from the Show Low Home Depot!
Their donation of the Bulldog and check to Veterans Village is greatly appreciated. You’re a super team!