Plains schools donates van to veterans program

For the longtime servant of Plains Public Schools, it was an inglorious last ride across the campus parking lot.

It was simply time to go.

But far from a sad occasion, this departure of the school’s workhorse mini-van was expected, with a bright future a possibility.

The “workhorse” in the spotlight on a hot, sunny scorched day last week was a 2004 Ford Freestyle minivan which was donated to the Vehicles for Veterans program and towed away by a large car-carrier truck with other vehicles on their way to help the VforV program and the thousands of veterans it strives to help.

“The van was not in operational condition anymore but we wanted to find an organization that could do something good with it,” said Plains Schools Superintendent Thom Chisholm. “The Vehicles for Veterans organization was an easy choice”.

The veterans support organization collects used, even inoperable cars and truck from throughout the state and much of the country. Volunteers then work to get the vehicles running for re-sale or if necessary strip them for parts.

In both cases, proceeds from the sales are used to help support a wide range of veteran assistance causes, such as the Volunteers for Veterans Foundation, which provides emergency financial assistance to veterans and active military personnel. The goal of that program is to help struggling veterans and their families achieve and maintain “long-term” stability and self-sufficiency.

Other beneficiaries of funds from the sale include Camp Brown Bear, which offers physical and emotional support for veterans in a wilderness setting. Other funds go to the Veterans 360 and My Pink Hat causes, which work to support and eventually eliminate the stigma associated with Post Combat Stress.

“These guys use the funds to help a lot of people,” Chisholm said. “We were glad they could come and pick up the van and hopeful they can get the most out of it”

Chisholm said the van, which had been used to transport students and staff to various events and for other school-related uses, had a non-working transmission. Otherwise, the body and cosmetic features of the vehicle were still in good shape. At the time it was towed away, the van had racked up more than 105,000 miles. But instead of spending District funds to get it back on the road, the decision was made to replace it and donate the van to the Veterans group.

An internet check of similar 2004 vans in working order show they can bring in anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000.

“Hopefully the van will be fixed and sold and the money it attracts will be put to good use helping our Veterans,” Chisholm said.