The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 22 in Shawano has one main purpose: helping injured veterans.
“All money we take in must be used for veterans and their families in some form,” said Don McGowan, DAV adjutant.
The help could be food, housing, money or anything else necessary to help a disabled veteran. Veterans are eligible if they have had an injury or contracted a disease during time of war.
The DAV was founded in March 1920 by a group of disabled veterans who were led by Judge Robert S. Marx of Cincinnati, Ohio. Their purpose has always been to take care of disabled veterans and help them return to living their life as normal as possible.
The Shawano chapter, which has 111 members, has sold Forget Me Not flowers in the past.
“We give them away for a donation,” McGowan said.
However, the chapter hasn’t had enough help to conduct the sales lately.
The unit’s biggest fundraiser is the sporting clay shoot, which will be held June 20 at Acres for Recreation. The event has been going on for 10 years.
“That makes us money every year,” McGowan said.
McGowan said every year he gets an audit and is required to account for all the funds the chapter takes in and gives out.
“We’re watched real close,” he said.
The DAV gives out around $1,800 every year, donating to the veterans homes in King, Milwaukee, Madison and Tomah.
They also give $1,000 to the van fund. The DAV has two vans to take veterans to their appointments in Green Bay, Appleton and Milwaukee.
“Vans are a big thing,” said McGowan, who is one of the drivers.
The vehicles are on the road every day of the week: daily to Milwaukee; Monday, Wednesday and Friday, to Appleton; and Tuesday, to Green Bay.
“They always need drivers,” McGowan said.
Other chapter officers are Mike Rogers, commander, Doug Opperman, vice commander, Al Hanson, junior vice commander, and Margaret Schell, chaplain.
“We always welcome new members,” McGowan said.
The chapter meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the Civic Center in Shawano. For information, call McGowan at 715-745-2609.
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