Kennedy VFW needs help
By Anna Jauhola
It’s been an overly expensive last several months for the VFW Post 3828 in Kennedy.
“The freezer in the kitchen quit, so we got a guy from Grand Fork to fix it,” said Danny Lundberg, VFW member and gambling chairman. “By the time we were done with it, it was over $2,000 and it didn’t work. Then we bought a new one and that was over $2,000.”
More recently, the ice machine quit, which cost them $4,000 and just in the last few days, their three-compartment sink sprung a leak.
To finance these replacements and repairs, Lundberg said the Post cashed in part of a savings bond.
“That’s just in reserve, and it’s getting low,” he added.
The VFW Post makes most of its money off the bar sales. They also have charitable gambling, but those funds are restricted to giving away to the community and around the county. Each month, they are required to give away a certain amount, and Lundberg said it’s typically around $2,000.
Recently, they gave scholarships to graduating seniors, and they support several sports teams in the county as well as other events like after-prom parties and ag safety days.
“By law, the gambling funds do not support the VFW bar,” Lundberg said, so that money can’t be used to replace failing equipment.
So, to help rebuild the club’s reserves, the VFW will be holding fundraisers, starting with a Margarita and Tacos night on Thursday, June 26 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Middle Room.
The good news is, some gambling funds can be used to upgrade the club’s building if they make a special request to the state gambling officials. Lundberg said they are currently seeking bids from contractors for work on the west side of the building facing Highway 75. He said the windows aren’t in great condition and the facade needs replacing, among other issues.
“We’re just trying to keep the building and equipment up. It’s getting old,” Lundberg said. “Tammy at the restaurant has been good. If she has equipment to give us, she will, or she helps find replacements.”
While the VFW charges rent for their two tenants – Kennedy Cafe and KodaBank – it’s not enough to pay the bills.
In the meantime, besides stopping by for a margarita and some tacos, anyone who wants to help out can send donations to VFW Post 3828, P.O. Box 101, Kennedy, MN 56733.
The Kennedy VFW was organized in 1942 and currently has about 60 members, five or six of whom are active. They meet the third Tuesday each month, typically in the Middle Room. Any veteran who has served in a foreign war is eligible to become a member, and to encourage veterans to join, the VFW pays for half of a lifetime membership.
Anyone interested can call Lundberg at 218-779-7279.
