Photo Courtesy of Veterans Home R&R
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and the Fergus Falls Veterans Home
are honored to accept a generous donation of $30,000 from Veterans Home R&R (Rest & Relaxation).
The nonprofit presented the check to Fergus Falls Veterans Home leadership last month to fund recreational programming for the Home’s residents.
According to Gary Harris Jr., Development and Public Affairs Coordinator, the Home looks forward to using this donation to support a number of activities and events including its Resident Arts program, courtyard/outdoor furniture, Stars and Stripes Parade/25th Anniversary celebration, a Touch2Play computer and other items that help Veterans engage with other Veterans and the community.
This engagement, in turn, creates a strong sense of camaraderie and shared social experiences behind and beyond the Home’s doors.
Over the past year, Veterans Home R&R hosted a series of unique regional fundraising activities to benefit the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls.
Some examples include a motorcycle fun run, live auction and silent auction events, Rock Your Dock pontoon gathering, a bean bag tournament, music festival and dinner with free will offering.
The home base for the annual fun run is the Underwood Post 489 American Legion and Perham was the site for the bean bag tournament and music festival. Mitch Davis, Board President, Veterans Home R&R, noted the importance of partnering with local citizens and other supporting groups and allies to sponsor memorable programming that delivers benefits to the Veterans Home.
Davis shared that he and the Veterans Home R&R Board of Directors work to develop events where community members can gather to publicly demonstrate their commitment to serving those who have served.
Board members include:Vi Davis, Tim Hauge, Terree Larson, Rebecca Lhotak, Deanna Mounts, Nick Pritchard, Logan Schroeder and Abby Smith.
For Davis and his wife Vi, finding ways to deliver joy and beauty to Veterans’ lives is rooted in their own personal relationships. Collectively, they have close to 30 Veterans in their immediate families.
Mitch’s mother and father lived in the Fergus Falls Veterans Home; both passed in 2016.
Vi worked as a certified nursing assistant there for seven-plus years.
“This Home should always feel like the Residents’ own home,” said Davis.
“Whether it’s something simple like going to dinner or going fishing, or participating in innovative programs, our focus is on giving these heroes the freedom to enjoy each day to the fullest.”
Jonathan Stone, Fergus Falls Veterans Home Administrator, agreed that planned recreational activities combining Residents’ interests and hobbies ultimately promote their independence and bolster health and wellbeing.
“Donations such as this one are instrumental in helping grow our efforts in this area.”
MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke expressed his gratitude for the Veterans Home R&R donation that will help enhance the ongoing Fergus Falls Veterans Home experience.
“Gifts like this from community partners and Veteran advocates allow us to expand our range of outings and special programs for Residents, which enrich their quality of life. We very much appreciate this ongoing support.”