Save the Wheaton VFW Post 2164!
Donation protected
It is with great urgency I start this fundraiser to save the Wheaton VFW. Due to recent legal challenges the majority of the income that supports the VFW as a business, and supports what the VFW does for our veterans will no longer be available.
Part of the income that will be lost was generated from parking fees the VFW collected for allowing students of Wheaton North High School to park there during the school year, as it is the closest and certainly the safest option for students to park. The VFW also allowed RV parking for cross-country travelers and overnight RV parking for Harvest Host.
All of these revenue generating practices that were helping the community and the VFW, have been challenged by a local Wheaton resident. Now, due to a recent ruling Post 2164 is at risk of losing and providing parking for the students of Wheaton North High School and the RV’s for harvest host. Between these sources of revenue, the VFW is set to lose $30,000 annually and is currently using savings which were to replace the parking lot of the VFW ($108,000) to cover legal expenses and costs of challenging the complaints of the resident.
Unfortunately, without this income the VFW will not be able to survive as a business, and certainly not able to provide services for veterans. Despite the VFW’s very costly and very regular business expenses (ie. this week the A/C in the VFW will have to be replaced for $28,000) to keep the doors open, the loss of revenue will directly affect all of the services for veterans. These are just some services VFW post 2164 has done for our veterans:
1) Food pantry & clothing donations
2) Assist veterans maneuver the va system for benefits
3) Assistant veteran / service members family with needs such as food, and even pay bills
4) Funerals
5) Assist widows with maneuvering system to receive benefits after veteran dies
6) Collect food, toiletries, water clothing sent to hines for the blind & fisher house 7) Collection of items that was taken to southern illinois and kentucky for the tornado victims
8) We hold therapy sessions for veterans to cope with PTSD
9) Hold various fundraisers to assist other veteran groups
10) Chartering 3 scout group
11) Give free use of hall rentals to area organizations such as schools, police, fire, scouts
12) Patriots pen, voice of democracy, patriotic art contests, teacher and scout awards.
13) We speak at schools and clubs
14) Honor guard for local events
15) Assisting Veterans cell phone/electric bills
These services are truly some of the few the VFW does for not only Veterans but for the community of Wheaton.
I started volunteering at the VFW when I was a freshman at Wheaton North High School. The relationships, life lessons, and experiences I had at the VFW have and will last a lifetime for me. Anyone who has gone to the Post will notice and feel the comradery and family setting immediately. I fell in love with being there every week of high school and through summers seeing all of the regular veterans in a place where they can remiss on their days in the service. It is what made me want to join the Navy. To think that all of that can be taken away is deeply unsettling for not only me, but for the volunteers, the regulars, and especially people who have been receiving their much needed services to maintain a “normal” life.
In order for the VFW to continue to provide services for the community and veterans, they can not do it alone. Please consider in sharing this misjustice and help raise funds to save what many veterans deeply depend on.
If you would like any more information on what the VFW does and if there is anyone who knows a Lawyer who could challenge the rulings or how you can help please contact the commander or go to the VFW’s website:
http://wheatonvfw.org
Commander (Leo Penkala): Contact on VFW website
I am also willing to answer any question about this go fund me or how to help
Facebook: Austin Reach-Menini
Part of the income that will be lost was generated from parking fees the VFW collected for allowing students of Wheaton North High School to park there during the school year, as it is the closest and certainly the safest option for students to park. The VFW also allowed RV parking for cross-country travelers and overnight RV parking for Harvest Host.
All of these revenue generating practices that were helping the community and the VFW, have been challenged by a local Wheaton resident. Now, due to a recent ruling Post 2164 is at risk of losing and providing parking for the students of Wheaton North High School and the RV’s for harvest host. Between these sources of revenue, the VFW is set to lose $30,000 annually and is currently using savings which were to replace the parking lot of the VFW ($108,000) to cover legal expenses and costs of challenging the complaints of the resident.
Unfortunately, without this income the VFW will not be able to survive as a business, and certainly not able to provide services for veterans. Despite the VFW’s very costly and very regular business expenses (ie. this week the A/C in the VFW will have to be replaced for $28,000) to keep the doors open, the loss of revenue will directly affect all of the services for veterans. These are just some services VFW post 2164 has done for our veterans:
1) Food pantry & clothing donations
2) Assist veterans maneuver the va system for benefits
3) Assistant veteran / service members family with needs such as food, and even pay bills
4) Funerals
5) Assist widows with maneuvering system to receive benefits after veteran dies
6) Collect food, toiletries, water clothing sent to hines for the blind & fisher house 7) Collection of items that was taken to southern illinois and kentucky for the tornado victims
8) We hold therapy sessions for veterans to cope with PTSD
9) Hold various fundraisers to assist other veteran groups
10) Chartering 3 scout group
11) Give free use of hall rentals to area organizations such as schools, police, fire, scouts
12) Patriots pen, voice of democracy, patriotic art contests, teacher and scout awards.
13) We speak at schools and clubs
14) Honor guard for local events
15) Assisting Veterans cell phone/electric bills
These services are truly some of the few the VFW does for not only Veterans but for the community of Wheaton.
I started volunteering at the VFW when I was a freshman at Wheaton North High School. The relationships, life lessons, and experiences I had at the VFW have and will last a lifetime for me. Anyone who has gone to the Post will notice and feel the comradery and family setting immediately. I fell in love with being there every week of high school and through summers seeing all of the regular veterans in a place where they can remiss on their days in the service. It is what made me want to join the Navy. To think that all of that can be taken away is deeply unsettling for not only me, but for the volunteers, the regulars, and especially people who have been receiving their much needed services to maintain a “normal” life.
In order for the VFW to continue to provide services for the community and veterans, they can not do it alone. Please consider in sharing this misjustice and help raise funds to save what many veterans deeply depend on.
If you would like any more information on what the VFW does and if there is anyone who knows a Lawyer who could challenge the rulings or how you can help please contact the commander or go to the VFW’s website:
http://wheatonvfw.org
Commander (Leo Penkala): Contact on VFW website
I am also willing to answer any question about this go fund me or how to help
Facebook: Austin Reach-Menini
Co-organizers (2)
Austin Reach Menini
Organizer
Wheaton, IL
Leo Penkala
Beneficiary
Leo Penkala
Co-organizer