Veterans van fundraiser exceeded goal

Published 8:03 am Monday, June 9, 2008

The Mower County veterans van project was “van-tastic” in every way.

The goal was to raise $25,000 to purchase a new van for the Mower County Veterans Service Office’s use to transport veterans to medical facilities.

Although final tallies are still being made, Wayne Madson is confident enough to announce more than $27,000 was raised. That’s $2,000 more than the original goal of $25,000.

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“We’re very happy with the public’s response to the fundraiser,” Madson said. “We appreciate and thank everyone, every group and every business for their support.”

According to the VSO’s calculations, a total of $14,853 came in the form of donations ranging from Arnold Brandt Disabled Veterans of America Chapter No. 27’s $6,500 to $50 from an anonymous donor.

“We appreciate all of them in whatever amount. They all add up,” said Madson.

Although other events were held to benefit the veterans van project, the raffle was the largest single money-raising event.

Ruth Arens won the top prize in the raffle drawing.

Ironically, the county’s VSO sold her the winning ticket.

Other details have not been announced by the raffle organizers.

The $14,853 donated to the project came from:

Austin American Legion Post No. 91 Auxiliary, $400.

Arnold Brandt Disable American Veterans Chapter No. 27, $6,500.

Lyle American Legion Post No. 105, $2,500.

Grand Meadow American Legion Post No. 140, $300.

Austin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1216 Auxiliary, $300.

Robert and Colleen Weimer in memory of Charles H. Meakins, Vietnam War veteran killed in combat, $1,000.

Austin American Legion Post No. 91, $1,803.50 (proceeds from Czech Dinner held Feb. 16 in honor of Leonard Miller)

Adams American Legion Post No. 146, $1,000.

Sons of the American Legion (Austin Post No. 91), $1,000.

Anonymous donor, $50.

“We just happen to be able to do it,” said Arnold Earl, a Vietnam War combat veteran.

Earl, senior vice commander of the local DAV Post No. 27, said the chapter has 230 members in the greater Mower County area and they were all for making the donation.

“I’m a 100 percent disabled veteran and I know how important it is for veterans to have access to medical care providers,” Early said.

“Absolutely, you bet I hope all veterans who are eligible will use the van service,” Earl said.

Jim Goudy was another local veteran who was elated the veterans van project goal had been met.

“We’ve learned our lesson,” Goudy said. “We placed too much dependence upon charitable gambling proceeds and now we realize we need these ongoing fundraisers to build our support for the next van replacement,” Goudy said.

Goudy organized the highly successful Czech dinner of pork, dumplings and sauerkraut.

The fundraiser quickly became the Leonard Miller Memorial Veterans dinner, when the popular former Mower County Commissioner and long-time DFLer and veterans advocate died.

Tragically, the Czech Dinner had to be held on the same day as Miller’s funeral.

“We plan to make the Leonard Miller Memorial Czech Day dinner an annual fundraiser for the veterans van replacement fund,” said Goudy.

Mower County’s VSO plans to put a 1999 van on the auction block when the county has its next consignment sale.

A 2005 Chevy Express van will remain in service.

The vans are used to transport Mower County veterans to Veterans Administration medical hospitals at St. Cloud and Minneapolis.

While the vans collect veterans with handicaps at the Twin Towers and The Cedars, among other places, typically most veterans board at a single embarkation point.

The first veterans van — a Dodge van — was the idea of former VSO Greta Kraushaar. It went into service Sept. 17, 1991.

Mower County pays for the drivers and provides the gas, maintenance and insurance for the vehicles.

There is no charge by the VSO’s office to use the vans. All veterans ride free of charge.

The 2005 vehicle is a 12-passenger van purchased new.

The vans made 10 trips each month and serve a monthly average of 100 passengers.

According to the VA Medical Center, Mower County veterans received an estimated $3.16 million in medical services by using the county veterans vans.