This month’s column is a follow-up to last month’s installment.
I have to admit the response was overwhelming! After being frequently stopped about town and asked basically the same questions, I chose to document the questions – and answers to them.
The primary question was, “who do I donate to?” That’s kind of a hard one with a wide range of answers. However, I would say donate locally. The VFW in Cabool owns and operates a van that (by my understanding) is used solely to transport veterans to and from doctor appointments around the area. This is funded entirely by the local post.
I have heard that the annual cost of this is approximately $6,000. Part of the cost is covered by the weekly bingo games, but Internet information shows that 98-percent of all monies taken in by the VFW is applied to their assistance programs. I do not know what, if any, programs or assistance from other chapters in the county have or do. I have not had any response from the branches outside of Cabool or Houston.
The reason I suggest donating locally is that even less of the donation would go to “administrative” costs, and more into local programs like the Cabool ride assistance.
The other question I’ve heard a lot is, “how do I research an organization?” Well, first thing is, if you are online do to a search on Google or your favorite search engine. If you are not Internet capable, telephone calls to the attorney general’s office and Better Business Bureau would be a start. I believe they will mail you what you need to know.
If it’s an organization with a branch in your community, go to their meeting night and ask questions. The more information you have, the better you can choose what to do.
This past month I heard of a local young man, Trent Neal, who was home on a short leave after graduating Marine Corps basic training in San Diego. My congratulations to Trent for his accomplishment.
Once again, if anyone has a family member in the service to be recognized, feel free to call me at 417-967-2336. I’m not always near the phone, but there is an answering machine.
Also, whether you like or dislike this column, please let myself and the Houston Herald staff know. Good or bad, we would like to hear your comments.
Enjoy the weather to come.
Houston resident Keith Ford is a retired infantryman and an amateur writer whose work has appeared in publications around the world. Email kf4tap@yahoo.com.