Veterans Transportation awarded 2016 Ford van
Mineral County Veteran Transportaton members pose in front of the organizations new van with a quilt created by Cabin Fever Quilter, Mary Elderidge. The quilt is a fundraiser for the veteran group. Left to Right: Will Wheeler, Orville Thompson, Doug Cummings, Ken Quitt, Herman Berneking, Mary Eldridge, Gloria Hermes, Sherrill Christensen, Mary Jo Berry, Glenn Koepke, and Sharon Booth. (Photo courtesy of Mary Jo Berry).
Mineral County Veterans Transportation members now have a new van, thanks to the Veterans Administration in Helena. They awarded the Mineral County group with a 2016 Ford Flex to replace their aging vehicle, which sustained $3,000 worth of damage in an accident last year.
Mary Jo Berry, RSVP coordinator for Mineral and Sanders County, said the old van had over 170,000 miles and needed to be replaced. A campaign to buy a new van was kicked off at the Mineral County Fair last August, where they received $200 in donations. Mineral County Veterans Transportation was started in 2011 and they currently have nine drivers, six of whom are veterans. They provide rides for local vets who have VA scheduled appointments from Superior to Missoula, Kalispell, and Helena.
Doug Cummings, who is a driver for the Mineral County Veterans Transportation program, had gone to Helena and visited with Ann Holland with Driver Veterans Services. He discussed the plight of the van they were currently using and hoped to get some assistance to purchase a new one. Given the population of veterans in Mineral County and need for the program, the county group was awarded the new van.
There’s a real need for veterans services in Mineral County and in Montana, overall. According to Berry, 631 veterans live here, and an analysis by the VA and Census Bureau reports that one in ten people in Montana are veterans. Donations are always welcome for the program, which helps with meals for passengers and drivers when traveling, as well as for supplies, and lettering on the vehicle. Anyone who makes a donation of $100 or more, will have their name displayed on the van, Berry said. An account has been set up at Trail West Bank for donations called Mineral County Veterans Transportation.
Also, early in the campaign, a Thimbleberry Sample quilt was made and donated by Mary Eldridge, who is a Cabin Fever Quilter. Raffle tickets for the quilt are available and will be sold during the Senior Health and Information Day on Feb. 18 at the Superior Elementary School. The drawing will be held at the 2017 Mineral County Fair. Cabin Fever Quilters is a civic group of ladies throughout Mineral County, who enjoy quilting and giving back to their community, said Berry.