Did you know when you buy the “Support Our Troops” (SOT) License Plate, you are helping Minnesota Veterans and their families?

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) distributes funds raised by the sale of SOT license plates to numerous organizations that support Minnesota Veterans and their families. Learn more about the SOT grant program on our website.

The Middle River Veterans Outdoors organization was awarded a $20,000 SOT/competitive grant to purchase a “tracked-wheelchair” to enable differently-abled Veterans (and/or their family members) to access fishing, hunting and other outdoor experiences.

Middle River Veteran Outdoors Grant Mission
Middle River Veterans Outdoors is organized for the sole purpose of providing no-cost outdoor recreation opportunities for any and all Veterans.

Middle River Veteran Outdoors Grant Testimonials
“We made very good use of the ‘tracked-wheelchair’ during our summer fishing event on Lake of the Woods. It was about 400 feet from the cabins to the dock with about a 50-foot incline to get down to the docks. We had two Veterans that could not walk very well on smooth, even ground and could not maneuver the incline at all without two or three helpers. The tracked wheelchair with its tilting seat was easily able to transport down the hill and out onto the dock right up to the boat and then we would assist the Veteran to climb into the boat. We simply reversed this process when the boats returned from the day’s fishing.”

“Early summer of 2019, we had a call from the daughter of an aging veteran (85+ years) wondering if we could handle him on our goose hunt. She informed us that he cannot walk without using a cane for short distance and only on a solid surface. He had not been waterfowl hunting in about 10 years and really wanted to do this. We assured her that we will take good care of him and described the ‘tracked-wheelchair’ to her. His application was received shortly, and he had a great time on the hunt. (Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke was his volunteer attendant). We received a letter from the daughter a week or so later telling us that her father could not stop telling people about this hunt and that everyone in town now knows about it.”

August 7, 2019 – Steve Stone
“I am a service-connected Veteran and an above-the-knee amputee. I had my leg removed in March of 2018. I use a cane and a wheelchair when I’m not wearing my leg. Getting used to the new prosthesis has been difficult especially if I need to walk very far. I’m always looking for ways to make it easier.

“Just before our county fair in mid-July, I received a call from a representative of the Middle River Veterans Outdoors (MRVO) organization. As a County Veterans Service Officer, I am very familiar with this group and all the great things they do for disabled Veterans. Knowing that I am an amputee, he asked if I would like to use their new motorized tracked wheelchair during the fair. As I mentioned earlier, I’m always looking for ways to make getting around easier, so I jumped at the chance to use it."

“It was phenomenal! The actual name is ‘Action Track Chair.’ It has a switch to move the chair down and forward to get into it plus it has five speeds and other ‘bells and whistles.’ From what I understand, MRVO received the chair as a result of a large grant to enable disabled Vets to get out and fish or hunt for deer and geese. It was comfortable and I had no problem keeping it steady even as I went over curbs and uneven surfaces. It gave me the opportunity to really enjoy the fair this year and I can’t thank the MRVO folks enough for giving me the opportunity to use it. Thank you!”

For more information about Middle River Veterans Outdoors, visit their website.

For more information about purchasing an SOT license plate, visit our website.