TEXARKANA, Texas - Even though COVID-19 canceled last year's Wagons for Veterans fundraiser, this year's Texarkana Area Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 278 event made a noticeable bounce back.
During the chapter's monthly meeting Sunday, VVA Chapter 278 President Greg Beck said the March 13 event drew at least 1,000 patrons and VVA Treasurer Jimmy Smith said overall fund collections amounted to $15,000.
This year's third annual fundraising intake compared favorably with organization's 2019 fundraiser, which took in at least $18,000. It also bested the 2018 event, which collected about $8,500.
Overall, Beck said he was pleased with this year's collection given the fact that COVID-19 forced cancelation of last year's fundraiser.
All proceeds go toward helping the Texarkana area's veterans and disabled veterans with home repairs, utility bill payments, funeral expenses, college school books, rent, food and medical assistance.
The funds also support the local Heroes' Food Pantry, which feeds about 125 veterans and their families on a monthly basis.
In other business, Beck announced that last month's flooding of the Miller County Courthouse prompted the move of Miller County Veteran Service Officer Tom Ornberg's office to a temporary location at 409 Hazel St. The office will probably be there for about a year.
Beck added that Robert Hernandez is the new Texarkana Area Veterans Council president and that the VVA might also need to consider organizing it's own honor guard for future veterans funeral services.
Beck also reminded VVA chapter members of the upcoming annual National Vietnam War Day Commemoration, which will take place at 6 p.m., March 29, at the Korea-Vietnam Memorial at the West Seventh Street North State Line Avenue intersection.
VVA Chapter 278 will be hosting the event.