The nonprofit group Vets to VA Clinics provides free transportation to veterans in need who otherwise have no way to get to the VA clinic. During the group's monthly board meeting, Wednesday, Don Padget on behalf of the Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 donated $1,000 to the program. However, Ralph Nesenson, organization treasurer, projects the program will run out of money by the end of the year. While Vets to VA looks for more sponsorship, the organization is selling raffle tickets for a 1989 Chevy F150 for a Veterans Day, November 11 raffle after the ceremony.
Nesenson said the organization does get $5,000 from Wal-Mart around the end of the year, either December or January, as well as the leftover charity budget from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association he said averages $1,500. However, Nesenson said when Vets to VA started, some businesses got on board committing $500 a year but “they've gone by the wayside.” He added, “Right now, we have 90 veterans signed up for program. If that had to stop, a lot of them would stop going to the doctor.” During the meeting, Nesenson went over financials from the last three months, which showed a near $5,000 drop twice.
Jeffrey and Wendy Parr donated the truck, a 1989 Chevy F10 with five-speed manual transmission and 150,000 miles. Nesenson said the truck looks good and runs well for its age. He said he decided to raffle it off instead of selling it to attempt to raise more money than a purchase would accrue.
To buy a shot at the truck, Nesenson said to call him at 626-7292 or stop by the Veterans Memorial Foundation office at 5191 C Willing Street in downtown Milton. He can also direct to other possibly more convenient locations to pick up tickets.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Vets to VA to raffle truck to fight dwindling budget