Groups donate to Nation of Patriots
Published 8:46 am Wednesday, June 21, 2017
- Dr. Mark Ciota, CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin and Albert Lea, presents a $1,000 check to Nation of Patriots volunteer Bill Koza ad the the Albert Lea Harley Davidson Chapter for the 2017 Nation of Patriots. Photo provided
Local groups and residents donated to the 2017 Nation of Patriots ride.
Local donations included:
—$500 from Geri Tollefson of Austin and national account manager for the YOGI Tea Company based in Springfield, Oregon,
—$100 from the Austin VFW Post 1216, and
—$1,000 from Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin and Albert Lea.
![](https://www.austindailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/06/0621-NOP-NOP-Yogi.jpg)
Judy Renwick, representing Geri Tollefson of Austin and National Account manager for the YOGI Tea Company based in Springfield, Oregon, presents a $500 check to volunteer Bill Koza, for the 2017 Nation of Patriot Tour. Photo provided
Each year, Nation of Patriots organizes a national effort that pays tribute to and honors all of America’s armed forces — past, present and fallen. The American flag is escorted on the back of a motorcycle through 48 states over 100 days from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends.
The Nation of Patriots is a volunteer group and all the funds raised are used to provided financial support to combat wounded veterans and their families.
The flag was delivered to the Albert Lea Harley Owners Group (HOG) chapter at Bergdale’s on May 31 from the Mason City HOG chapter. On June 1, the Albert Lea HOG chapter escorted the flag to Crow River Harley Davidson in Delano, Minnesota. The NOP fundraiser will continue until October. For more information, call Bill Koza at 507-383-7457.
![](https://www.austindailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/06/0621-NOP-VFW-Post-1216.jpg)
Judy Renwick from the Austin VFW Post 1216 presented Bill Koza, Nation of Patriot Volunteer, a check for $100 as a donation to the 2017 Nation of Patriots Tour. Photo provided