Eighteenth-century theologian John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” That certainly seems to be the deeply held sentiment of generous local donors to the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Fergus Falls.

Two recent donations, totaling more than $25,000, have been designated to improve Residents’ daily life experiences. These two organizations – DAV Chapter 25 and American Legion Pheasants for Veterans Fund – are helping to create an engaged environment and ensuring Residents truly feel at home at the Fergus Falls Veterans Home.

DAV Chapter 25 fully funds Home’s annual wi-fi and cable TV services for Residents

Wi-fi and cable TV services connect Residents to a world of information and entertainment. The annual cost of those services is more than $31,000. However, DAV Chapter 25 in Fergus Falls stepped up to completely cover these yearly technology costs so that neither Residents nor the Veterans Home would need to. They recently gifted the second half of that payment: $15,063.32.

How does this Veteran Service Organization raise the funds to make significant donations such as this one? Their main source of revenue is generated from clothing contributions deposited in large, lime green DAV bins situated throughout the city. The clothes are collected by volunteers each month, transferred to an 18-wheeler trailer and sold to a regional/national thrift store for resale.

DAV Chapter 25 Commander Rebecca Lhotak shared what it means to her Chapter to be able to ensure Veterans Home Residents can enjoy the simple pleasures of being able to watch their favorite television shows, email friends and family members, etc. “Our fellow Veterans served and sacrificed for our country. It’s a great privilege and pleasure to help them stay connected to the world in and beyond Fergus Falls through this technology donation. And we appreciate everyone in the community who has helped us raise these funds through our different activities.”

Learn more about DAV Chapter 25 programs and services here.

American Legion Pheasants for Veterans Fund donates to Home’s Main Street Project

Thanks to the American Legion Pheasants for Veterans Fund donation of $10,000, the Fergus Falls Veterans Home is now closer to being ready to undertake The Veterans Main Street Project, an improvement effort focused on renovation and modernization of two interior classic “storefronts”: the Family Inn and the Barber Shop.

These Main Street storefronts are original to the building and have not been upgraded in 25 years. Both the Family Inn and Barber Shop are used daily by Residents, visitors, volunteers and staff; however, they need updating to ensure they:

• Provide quiet, comfortable, spacious areas for various activities, such as family care conferences (in the Family Inn) and hair care services (in the Barber Shop)
• Are reconfigured to meet accessibility needs for all individuals
• Offer functional furniture, such as a user-friendly dining table and durable, easy-to-clean club chairs
• Add a refreshed, contemporary look, improved lighting and simple-to-maintain flooring
• Introduce new wiring, cabling and jack capabilities to support computer and communications technology
• Deliver energy efficiency

Glenn Mueller, Chairman, American Legion Pheasants for Veterans Fund, said, “This Pheasant Fund tradition began 84 years ago; over the past six years it’s been very rewarding for me to lead the effort with the Post and Auxiliary. Our comrades at the Veterans Home gave us the freedoms we have today, so whatever they need or want is what we want to provide for them. Supporting the Main Street reconstruction project at the Home will help to make every day extra special for Residents.”

If you’re interested in knowing more about the American Legion Pheasants for Veterans Fund, email Chairman Mueller at glm01311962@gmail.com.