Community members have rallied behind local VFW Post 2712, following a post made by local Quatermaster Drew Ramsey, noting the financial struggles the post is facing.
From donating to a Go-FundMe page (https:// short url.at/uUGSF) to local businesses planning events/sales to benefit the local organization, it is evident the community wants to see the services provided by the VFW continue.
With a membership of approximately 60, the local chapter is faced with financial and volunteer woes. Memberships are limited to Veterans of a Foreign War or military personnel after Sept. 11, 2001, with additional qualifications; however, donations and volunteer efforts to the organization are always appreciated.
Post 2712 provides funeral details for veterans who have passed on, parade color guards, bean feeds, Memorial Day flag placements at Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka, school programs, scholarships and much more.
“Unfortunately, without a significant addition to our finances we will eventually close and the services we provide will no longer be available in Greenwood County. The state will take our real estate and inventory of flags and the post will be no more. If you can help it is greatly appreciated,” stated Ramsey.
The decline in VFW memberships are not only being felt in Greenwood County, but state-wide. Since 1997, state-wide membership has decreased from 42,000 to just 14,000. In Greenwood County, an annual membership is $45 with a lifetime membership of $400 also being offered. The local chapter meets routinely on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month (outside of holidays and inclement weather).
The VFW Post 2712 currently participates in a pool league, which helps with costs; however, they are looking into other ways to bring revenue and the community together, that fits within state guidelines of the post.
Ramsey shared he has a meeting scheduled for later this week regarding the potential of brining Bingo to the community.
Fundraisers being planned to assist the VFW, that have been shared with The Herald, include S&L Hardware, who is selling smoke alarms, carbon monixide alarms and/or screwdrivers and Wrathnak Archery & Range, who is planning a Christmas Tree Ornament Bingo (archery style) event to benefit the local VFW Post.
Donations can be sent directly to VFW Post 2712 at PO Box 493, Eureka, KS 67045, taken to their location at 112 W. 2nd Street, in Eureka or made through the GoFundMe link listed above, which had raised $3,360 as of Monday morning.
