TEXARKANA, Ark. - Last month's Wagons for Veterans fundraiser generated more funds then initially reported.
A final tally shows Texarkana Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 278 took in $17,500, President Greg Beck told the Texarkana Area Veterans Council during its regular monthly meeting Thursday.
Beck added that while the amount still wasn't quite as good as the $18,000 taken in by the 2019 fundraiser, it did come close.
The money is designated to help Texarkana area veterans and disabled veterans with home repairs, utility bill payments, funeral expenses, college school books, rent, food and medical assistance.
Council members also learned Thursday that Community Services of Northeast Texas is currently furnishing taxi rides to Texas-side veterans needing trips to and from medical care centers and other places, while the council itself is providing a van that makes at least two trips each week to carry local veterans to the Overton-Brooks Veterans Administration Hospital in Shreveport.
As for upcoming Memorial Day Services next month, Texarkana Area Veterans Council President Robert Hernandez said U.S. flag placement at local veterans' graves will need to start May 26 in order to complete the flag placements for the May 29-30 Memorial Day weekend and May 31 holiday.
Hernandez said the new VA Clinic, currently under construction on Summerhill Road, could be open by the end of this year.