VALORSJ launches today as a free online directory for San Joaquin County veterans. Photo courtesy of Magnific

STOCKTON, CA (MPG) - A free online platform that launched July. 3 is asking San Joaquin County's local businesses for help building something for the region's veterans and servicemembers: a single, trusted directory of veteran discounts, veteran-owned businesses, community events and support services across Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Tracy and beyond.

VALORSJ (Veterans Access to Local Offers & Resources in San Joaquin) is live now at valorsj.com, with mobile apps for iPhone and Android coming in the months ahead. The platform's value depends on local businesses stepping forward in the coming weeks, both businesses willing to honor veterans with a discount and veteran-owned businesses themselves looking to be found by neighbors who want to support them.

VALORSJ is not a business. There is no paid advertising on the platform. There are no membership fees. There are no listing fees for businesses. There is no revenue model and no plans for one. Co-founders Tony Mannor and Frank Ferral are paying the platform's costs themselves as a tribute to the San Joaquin County veteran and service community.

"I've been a small business owner in Stockton for more than 25 years, and my family has served our country for generations. That legacy continues with my son," said Tony Mannor, who co-founded the platform with longtime friend Frank Ferral. "Frank and I are both Rotarians, we were discussing the Rotary creed of ‘Service Above Self’ and that’s what got this started. We wanted to give something back to the veterans who served our community and our nation. This isn't a product we're selling. It's something we're giving to this community. But it only works if our local businesses help us build it. That's why we're starting here, by asking. "

Frank Ferral, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Chief Policy Officer at the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, co-founded VALORSJ with Mannor. "Our veterans gave a lot. The least we can do is make sure they know about the local businesses that want to honor that service. Right now, the platform is ready, we need our business community to show up and say, 'I'm in.' Every listing is free. No one in San Joaquin County will ever pay anything to use this or be listed on it."

Mannor and Ferral are asking two specific groups in San Joaquin County to take action this month. One of the groups being businesses that already offer a veteran discount, restaurants, shops, service providers, healthcare offices, anyone, are invited to list their discount at valorsj.com so the community can find them. The second group that is being asked is veteran-owned businesses, whether or not they offer a discount, are invited to list themselves in the platform's free veteran-owned business directory.

Listings can be added in moments through a simple form at valorsj.com. There is no cost, no membership requirement, and no obligation of any kind.

When the directory is populated and the mobile apps launch later this year, veterans, their families and supporters across San Joaquin County will have one place to locate multiple services. 

The directory includes, local discounts comprising verified businesses offering veteran discounts, from restaurants and auto repair to home services and retail, a list of veteran-owned in San Joaquin County, veteran-focused community events, and a support services directory which includes local and regional resources for veterans navigating civilian life.