Fergus Falls, MN – Veteran Residents and Veteran spouses of the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Fergus Falls were recently presented with a donation of more than $10,000 in support of a project to replace current televisions with a 42-inch flat screens in all Resident rooms.

“We have been thinking about this replacement process for years,” says Stacy Honer, Building and Facilities Maintenance Foreman for the Veterans Home. “Over the years, all sizes of TVs have come with Residents entering their new home, from very small black and white TVs to very large older modular floor flat screens. We have seen them all.”

The plan is to place new flat screen TVs on all Resident wardrobes, with a pivotal mount so they can be viewed from different vantage points. “The gift from the Military Order of the Cootie, Dept. of Minnesota will help improve viewing opportunities in the comfort of our Resident’s own space. In rooms with double occupancy, each Resident will have a different brand of TV so remotes will work properly with no interference,” says Gary Harris, Jr., Public Affairs at the Veterans Home.” For Residents who want to watch special programs in a different format, there are larger screens with additional channel options in each common area.

Cootie Grand Commander Tim Arnold and Grand Auxiliary President Deann Reynolds cover the state of Minnesota. Cooties are active members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and dedicated to maintaining duties that involve providing aid to hospitalized Veterans and those who are sick or injured, providing blood, visitation, clothing and entertainment at VA medical centers and other non-VA facilities.

Each year, leaders select a project within the Order of the Cootie state organization for fundraising. This past year, Reynolds and Arnold decided to do a combined state project and selected the Fergus Falls Veterans Home TV Project.

“Commander Tim and I chose the Fergus Falls Veterans Home TV Project because we want to give back to all Veterans. These Veterans gave up their time to serve our country,” says Reynolds. “We wouldn't be here if it weren't for their sacrifice to keep our country free. This is just a small thank you for all they sacrificed.”

The fundraising toward their combined project culminated on June 30, raising a total of $10,662 to close out their year. Funding sources for the project came from a variety of sources including state auxiliary unit donations, fundraisers in state Cootie meetings, and a $5,000 gift from the VFW Auxiliary unit in Milaca, Minnesota.

The Fergus Falls Veteran Residents are grateful to all Minnesota Cooties and VFW members who supported this project that will change the way Residents are able to view TV programs in their own rooms for years to come.

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About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.