Oldtown, Ponderay stores help local VFW
Local VFW and Burger King officials pose for a photo after a recent donation from the stores to the veterans group. Pictured from the VFW are Ken Hunt, post commander; Ken Keeler, quartermaster; and Larry Pedersen Jr., vice commander. Representing Burger King are Sunflower Sego of Oldtown, Christine Rasor of Ponderay and Denise Kin of Ponderay.
(Courtesy photo)
Ponderay and Oldtown Burger King stores spent the month of May asking their very generous customers for donations for Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The employees worked very hard to bring in the donations, and received many thanks from veterans for doing so, Denise Kin of the Ponderay Burger King said.
“Each store had a table of honor set up and decorations honoring our veterans,” Kin said. “Many customers were affected emotionally by the table of honor, as it meant something to them or their families. There were stories of lost family members or what each person had been through. No matter the story, the emotion behind it was real and sincere.”
Between the two stores, the communities donated a total of $5,417 to the local VFW. Following the donation, VFW Post Commander Ken Hunt gave Burger King employees a tour and highlighted the wonderful changes they are making to try to get more veterans into the VFW, Kin said.
“[It gives them] a place to go for peace, quiet, work space, or just to bond with other veterans who know what they have been through,” she said.
The Base Case, as it is called, is open Thursday through Sunday, 12-8 p.m., depending on volunteer availability. Ken stated he is seeking volunteers to keep the base camp open more days and possibly more hours. To volunteer, call the VFW at 208-263-9613.
“Our communities were so wonderfully generous to our local veterans, we cannot thank them enough for all they have done to help out,” Kin said. “As much as it was nice to be the ones to be able to present the money to the VFW, we know that it was the communities who made this possible. Thank you to the Sandpoint, Ponderay, Oldtown, and surrounding communities.”