 The names were essential to the post. Each name, each donation meant
the post had a greater chance of saving their building from going
into foreclosure. When the day was over, the post had been saved and
the community had another testimony to their generosity
The post had been in serious jeopardy of losing their building of
seven decades with past-due bills and their mortgage in arrears.
Like many organizations, their business has seen a downturn in
income. Part of the reason is the recession, with people having less
money to spend on helping their favorite organizations. Another
reason was that the veterans have so freely offered their hall to
all who need a place for their fundraisers that income was minimal
at best.
They worked hard with various events to try to get much-needed
money in their bank account. Even though every dime was appreciated,
it wasn't enough to keep bills current.
It came to the point the vets needed a huge infusion of cash or
they were in jeopardy of losing their hall.
With no answer in sight, they did the only thing they could do.
They turned to the community for help. And you, the community,
responded.
As the days drew near to the big day, the community's generosity
got a head start on helping. The vets needed $11,000 to get up to
date on their bills, and they had banked $9,000 before the Saturday
events.
Saturday started on a positive note. The crowd for pancakes and
sausage was so large that volunteers ran down into the basement
kitchen to cook up more sausage and pancakes to keep the line
moving. It was easily the best breakfast crowd the vets had ever
had. But it was just starting.
The afternoon saw a steady stream of well-wishers coming to enjoy
a pork lunch or to play bingo or to bid on the silent auction items
or just to drop off a check.
As the afternoon drew on, the post began filling for the end of
the silent auction and for the live auction, which was run by Mike
Maske, who had donated his services.
The live auction saw many valuable items and gift certificates
available for bid. It also saw many items that didn't have much
value but still brought in money, thanks to community members just
wanting to help by buying something they definitely didn't need.
Many laughed as they were handed what they had won with their bid,
pondering what they would do with it when they got it home.
At the end of the auctions, a total of $4,444 had been added to
the post's bank account.
The day was hectic, with a furious pace at times for post members
trying to keep up with all that was going on. But they all wore
smiles as they knew all their planning and preparations were paying
off because you, the community, were responding to their need.
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On Monday morning, Vince and Janet Long went to State Bank and
counted up all the funds that had been deposited. It was then that
they obtained the count of $27,335. Vince said the total collected
was beyond his wildest dreams.
"I don't want to leave anyone out," he said. "So thank you, thank
you, thank you to the community for their support. They opened up
their hearts, their wallets and their checkbooks, and we can't thank
them enough."
State Bank President Steve Aughenbaugh was pleased that the
community had responded to the post's needs as well. It was his bank
that worked closely with the vets to keep the building open and had
donated five $100 savings bonds for the auction.
"The Cronin Brothers VFW is very important to this community. We
all need to support and honor our vets as much as we can,"
Aughenbaugh said.
We couldn't agree more. And with $27,000 in the bank, all you who
stepped forward to gather around our veterans are our Personalities
of the Week. Congratulations to all of you who have helped save our
VFW.
We hope as you drive down Fifth Street you can look with
satisfaction at the building called VFW Cronin Brothers Post 1756.
You can say with pride: That's our VFW and we helped keep it open.
Note: You can still contribute to the VFW by sending a check to
the State Bank of Lincoln with a memo stating it is to go to the VFW
building fund.
The post also will now have a poker tournament once a month,
sponsored by the Marines, and the auxiliary will have a dinner every
other week to bring in money. Check the LDN community calendar for
dates and times.
The VFW board will also begin plans for a family-oriented day
this summer, perhaps again with a live auction, to keep money coming
in a steady stream.
[By
MIKE FAK]
Updated
list of VFW contributors
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