The Fergus Falls Veterans Home received a generous donation October 29th from Boots on the Ground. The donation was from proceeds that came from the Boots on the Ground Veterans Motorcycle Fun Run totaling $53,482.98. Since Boots on the Ground started five years ago, their efforts have grown tremendously. In their first year they raised $1,000 in comparison to this year’s $53,000.

Presenting the check to the Veterans Home was Darcy Farmer. Farmer is founder and chair of the Boots on the Ground Committee, as well as an employee in Recreation Department at the Fergus Falls Veterans Home. When presenting the check Farmer told the Residents that “We do it for you, not for ourselves.”

Accepting the check on behalf of the Veterans and their spouses living in the Veterans Home was Scott Buchanan, Fergus Falls Home Administrator and Deanna Mounts, the Fergus Falls Home Volunteer Coordinator.  Scott thanked the committee members for their hard work and dedication throughout the past year. 

The donation will be divided to benefit different projects at the Fergus Falls Veterans Home. Funds will be given to the Home’s Recreation Fund, the Greenhouse Project, shadow boxes for Residents, Patriot’s Park Project, and the Memorial Wall.

The funds from the donation help support services that the Veterans Home provides to Veterans and their spouses. As a part of the Veterans Home’s goal, each Resident at the Home will be given a shadow boxes.  For the Patriot Park project the goal is to add benches, picnic tables, a dock, plants, bushes and a small monument to honor the five branches of service. 

Fergus Falls now has a large granite memorial wall. The funds from Boots on the Ground will allow for the memorial wall to expand to be able to continue to the tradition of remembering those who have served for another 25 years to come.

The Greenhouse Project is a Resident requested project that allows Residents with a green thumb to plant and grow flowers, vegetables and fruits. Mounts comments that “This is a hobby they enjoy and look forward to.  It is not only enjoyable but it is therapeutic.”

A large portion will go towards the recreation fund that Residents and their spouses cherish. The fund allows  Residents of the Home to partake in activities such as bowling, hunting, fishing trips, meal outings, bingo and community events just to list a few of many. 

This great donation from Boots on the Ground helps to support The Fergus Falls Veterans Home.  Residents are greatly appreciative of the work and dedication of the committee.