Last night the PIGs were at it again.  We were ringing bells for the Salvation Army at Wal-Mart.  While the temps were down, spirits were high as we handed out candy canes to the kids as they came and went.  Santa even rode in on his motorcycle.  Everyone had a great time and we helped raise some money for another great cause.  Pictures will be posted soon.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Members of the PIGs civic group were more than happy to purchase a van last week. The new 12-person van will be used by the Douglas County Veterans Service Office to transport veterans from the Northland to the Twin Cities for medical care.

The PIGs (Public Involvement Group) donated more than $15,500 toward the purchase of the van. Benna Ford ordered the vehicle and helped locate and organize other contributors. The Superior business also covered the remaining costs not met by donations.

“This is a great example of the power of partnerships,” said Douglas County Board Chair Doug Finn. “I cannot begin to express my appreciation for all the work the PIGs have done, and the support they have received from the local community and Benna Ford, to make this new van a reality.”

The Veterans Service Office provides round-trip service to the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis five days a week. Roughly 500 veterans utilize the service each year, according to Douglas County Veterans Service Officer Scott Buchanan. Most are elderly, indigent or unable to drive. For $15, they get a ride from their doorstep to the Twin Cities and back.

“It’s really a cost effective way and for some veterans it’s the only way they would be able to get down to the Twin Cities to get their VA care,” Buchanan said. But the nominal fees barely cover gasoline for the vehicle. The van racks up about 130,000 miles every two years. Although money is set aside in the county budget for a van trade-in, the funds in the reserve account would not have been enough to cover the cost this year, according to Buchanan. Thanks to the PIGs and Benna Ford, the purchase was made and $8,400 remains in the account for the next van purchase.

“They are the ones that really stepped forward and made this happen,” Buchanan said. “The PIGs really did yeoman’s work for us here. They did a great job.”

For two years, the PIGs have focused on meeting the needs of local veterans. It’s a sign of appreciation for these men and women, said PIGs member Jim Swanson.

“Just everything veterans do for us, for our country; present, in the past and in the future” he said. “Just being able to give back for all they’ve done is really important.”

Last year, the PIGs raised $6,800 during their first Ride for the Vets. The funds were used to provide new televisions and a satellite dish for the Twin Ports VA Outpatient Clinic in Superior and to support Project New Hope, a camp for veterans and their families.

This year, through the ride and a saddle bag campaign, the motorcycle group more than doubled their fundraising total from 2010. Two hundred forty bikes went on the Ride for the Vets and corporate sponsorship was high.

“The response we’ve gotten from the community has been fantastic,” Swanson said.

He said handing the keys to the new van over Friday was a great experience.

“It felt really good to know the van will finally be put to use,” Swanson said. The motorcycle group also hopes to raise awareness of the Twin Ports VA Clinic and the other services available to local veterans through its efforts.

Although keys changed hands Friday, the old van was still. It was booked solid, Buchanan said, so it wasn’t been brought in for the exchange. He expected the van switch to happen sometime this week.

The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center is a great place for individual or group outings.  A group of Pigs attended their open house last week. After making a donation they toured the whole facility and noticed quite a few interesting and inspiring exhibits.  We highly recommend everyone to visit this center.  Supporting our Veterans should always be in our thoughts.  For more info visit the website  bvhcenter.org.

Eric Munson is struggling with stage four cancer and is currently at the Mayo Clinic. The Pigs have shown their support by donating to Eric’s fund. You can also show your support by visiting Eric’s webpage at Cambridge.org. We all wish the best for Eric and his family.

Thanks goes out to all of the PIGs that helped collect money for the veterans today at Belknap & Tower ave.
But the real thanks goes out to the people of the twin ports. You all rock thanks to you we raised over 1500.00 hundred dollars to put towards the van that will be purchased for the veterans services to transport our veterans to the cities and back. Thanks again Northland GOD BLESS you all. The PIGs

Chris Allen….local On-Air Personality will be attending this years Duluth Kidney Walk. Saturday May 21st. Bayfront Festival Park. What a great cause. More info can be found by clicking here.

Chris’s post from facebook:

Saturday June 4, 2011

Registration will begin at 10:30 am at Ropers Saloon.  Ride will leave at noon. After the ride there will be food, games, prizes, raffles, and live music.

Duck and Chic on WDIO Good Morning Northland.

This year our goal is to raise $28,000 to purchase a new van for the Douglas County Veterans Services Office.  This van will make around 200 trips each year and will transport over 1,000 Veterans from Douglas , Ashland, Bayfield, and St. Louis counties.

All sponsors that donate over $500 will have their name or logo placed on the van, name or logo on T-shirts, and link on this web page. Sponsors of over $100 will have their name or logo on the T-shirt and a link on this web page.

If you need lodging for the weekend, Barkers Island Inn is offering $50 discount  for those attending our Veterans ride. Good for June 3rd and 4th.  Regular $129 per night, discount is $79 per night.  Call for more info: 1-800-344-7515 or 715-392-7152

We look forward to riding with everyone!

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!