Community Rallies Around Homeless Veterans
By:
OLIVER - A bar near Superior was packed Saturday, but not just because of the good weather. It was all for a good cause.
El Dorado hosted a homeless veterans benefit and customer appreciation day complete with a pig roast, roast beef, horse shoe tournament, vendors, karaoke and a raffle.
The fundraiser was for Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans or MAC-V.
Last year they raised a little more than $3,000 for MAC-V and $16,000 through the meat raffles on Wednesday nights.
MAC-V lost a federal grant a few years ago and have been working hard to get it back.
Todd Pfeffer, the owner of El Dorado, saw the need and had to do his part to help.
"I'll try to help them out in any way I can, but to do this, they've helped us so much, they've served, protected, gave us our freedom. Why wouldn't you wanna do it?" said Pfeffer.
100 percent of the proceeds from Saturday's event go to MAC-V.
All the money stays locally and last year helped provide meals for the veterans staying in transitional housing in West Duluth.
"It's a huge impact. To see the community come together and put on these types of things and support it is wonderful," said Steve Saari, Regional Director for MAC-V.
If you'd like to donate to MAC-V you can go to the meat raffle on Wednesdays at El Dorado, or you can take it to MAC-V at 5209 Ramsey Street in West Duluth.
The phone number for MAC-V is: 218-722-8763.