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OCP photo
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
SHELBY — The American Legion Post #30 is hosting an event to help local military veterans.
Formerly called the Feather Party, the American Legion Fundraiser is set for Friday, Nov. 13, at 5 p.m. at the Pizza Factory.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Service Officer Darrell Hansen. “All of the funds we raise from this event go toward helping the veterans and their families in Oceana County.”
“We solicit donations from Whitehall to Hart — both cash and business donations. For example, we received a donation of fresh apples from Bush’s Apples in New Era.” Lakeshore Chrysler in Montague has donated a basket of items, including an oil change.
The Pizza Factory is donating its space for the event.
Attendees can buy paddles for $1 each to bid on items donated by local businesses and individuals, said Doris Fekken, who is helping organize the fundraiser. If the number on your paddle matches the number on the spinning wheel, you win the prize. “You’re only taking the opportunity to win it, if it’s something you want.”
Among the items will be 20 turkeys and 20 hams.
There will be 100 paddles for each round, said Fekken. “So, for each round, they can take in $100.”
A 5K veterans run/walk hosted by the Oceana County Department of Veterans Affairs is set for Saturday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. at Getty Park in Shelby. Sign up here for the Oceana County Vet Day 5K. All proceeds support Oceana County veterans.
The events coincide with Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11.
Fekken and Hansen, who are siblings, work year round to help local vets. The pair dress up as Santa Claus and his elf during the holidays and visit local veterans living in nursing homes, providing gifts.
“Darrell has such a heart for it. He’s a vet himself.” Many of their family members have also served, including their brother who served during the Vietnam War and their father who was a prisoner of war during World War II.
“It’s important that people realize that the effort is going into overseeing the veterans who are in our county, but also finding ways to help their families,” said Fekken. “That’s what this legion is trying to accomplish — making sure that people are aware that there are veterans out there who do need help.”
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