The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is honored to receive a very generous donation of $80,000 from the Department of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Charles McLaughlin Post 906 in Hutchinson, MN. This donation specifically was provided to each individual State Veterans Home, which will receive $10,000 per location.

VFW Commander Dale Hoogeveen, VFW Charitable Gambling Manager Doug Johnson and Jerry Tews, Charles McLaughlin Post 906 member, presented the checks to MDVA senior leadership and Homes’ public affairs, development and community engagement representatives at the VFW Midwinter Conference on January 13.

Funding will be used at the five current Homes in Minneapolis, Hastings, Luverne, Fergus Falls and Silver Bay to develop and deliver new Resident activities and enhance existing Resident programming. The three future Homes in Preston, Bemidji and Montevideo – scheduled to open in mid-2023 – will use this funding to purchase televisions for Residents’ bedrooms, an expense that skilled nursing care Residents would traditionally cover.

Commander Hoogeveen shared that this donation was the result of an initiative voted upon and taken on solely by Post 906 with enthusiastic support from local VFW members and citizens in the immediate community and nearby cities and towns. “It was absolutely a collective, united effort. These people gave their time, their talents and their treasures to guarantee they could deliver a gift that would be well-used by our Veterans.”

MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke noted the significant positive impact this contribution will have on Minnesota State Veterans Homes. “A donation of this magnitude will go a long way to help increase the quality of life for our Residents. Whether it means expanding Home services or providing unique or special Home products not currently included on our campuses, the end result will be an improved daily experience for Veterans.”

Once again, MDVA extends its gratitude to the Department of Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars and Charles McLaughlin Post 906 in Hutchinson. Your partnership is essential in helping us provide the highest level of care to those who have served.