Representatives of Austin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1216 delivered a check to enable Mower County to purchase a new van for veterans.

The check presentation took place Tuesday morning at the regular meeting of the county commissioners.

Cdr. Dennis Nelson was joined by Robert Norgaard, charitable gambling manager, and Sue Register, assistant charitable gambling manager, in the check presentation.

The amount totaled $14,367.62.

The money came from a raffle conducted by VFW Post No. 1216 to help raise money for the van purchase.

Norgaard also reported another $330 was donated to the van purchase project from individuals.

“Thank you,” said Richard P. Cummings, 1st District county commissioner and chairman of the county board. “I commend you for your efforts.”

Wayne Madson, the Mower County veterans service officer, expressed his congratulations to the VFW post for their efforts to organize the successful raffle to raise funds for the project.

According to Madson, the goal of the campaign to raise money for a new van’s purchase was $25,000.

To date, $27,851 has been raised, Madson reported.

“It was amazing what they did. The VFW can be very proud,” he said of the raffle proceeds donation.

The county maintains two vans to transport veterans to medical appointments at Veterans Administration hospitals and clinics at St. Cloud and Minneapolis.

The service is supplied veterans free of charge.

Mower County supplies the drivers, buys the insurance and maintains the vans while local veterans’ organizations must raise money to purchase the vans.