Parking at fairground to raise money for DAV van
PLAINS – A new organization in part with the DAV Volunteer Transportation Network has taken on a different way to fundraise this year for a replacement van to help veterans get to their VA medical appointments.
Sanders County Veterans Transportation , a group established this year exclusively for fundraising, will be raising money at the fair by charging for parking in a nearby hay field across from the Sanders County Fairgrounds.
“We’re always fundraising because it takes quite a bit of time to build up the bank to afford to replace one of those vans,” said organizer Lark Chadwick.
The DAV network was established in Sanders County in 2006 and currently has 15 volunteer drivers who volunteer their time to get veterans to their appointments. They use two vehicles to help service the veterans in and around Sanders County.
Chadwick explained that at 300,000 miles the vehicles have to be decommissioned, reaching the end of their service life.
Currently the organization is replacing the vehicle based in Thompson Falls with an Explorer that will soon be delivered. In order to get the new vehicle, half of the money had to be raised, with the other half being matched by the DAV National Organization.
It took five years of fundraising to meet the $14,000 goal for the new vehicle.
With the other DAV van based in Plains racking on more miles everyday, the money raised at the fair will be funneled into an account to get a new vehicle once the remainder of the 116,000 miles run out on the van, something Chadwick said will happen quickly.
“We really put the miles on these rigs. Some months we’ve put on 10,000 miles between the two of them,” said Chadwick, explaining that the vans take the veterans to VA medical appointments in Kalispell, Missoula and Fort Harrison.
Chadwick explained the organization will need a minimum of another $14,000 in order to raise half of the vehicle’s worth, although, that number will most likely increase depending on the going rates at that time.
“This is going to be a real opportunity to fundraise,” said Chadwick “We want to make sure that everyone knows it’s Sanders County supporting Sanders County Veterans.” Sanders County Veterans Transportation will have a daily parking charge of $4 for seniors and handicapped, $5 for general admission and will also be offering a value pass for three days available for purchase for $12.
“If that three day pass is purchased on the first day, if you come on the fourth day, we will let you park for two dollars,” said Chadwick.
The association is also offering free parking to the 4Hers.
“It’s something we can do to support the 4Hers and to support their program,” said Chadwick.
With the fundraising efforts continually going strong and the Sanders County Veterans Transportation making it possible to focus on fundraising alone, the group remains busy finding funds to help benefit the veterans.
For those interested in donating to the Sanders County Veterans Transportation, an account has been placed in their name at the First Security Bank.