Veterans group plans tasty fundraiser

A local veterans group is planning a tasty fundraiser for local physically disabled military veterans.

The Texarkana Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, No. 278, is working on a fundraising project in which several chuck wagons would wheel into Texarkana and serve meals to the public for a nominal price. Proceeds would be used to help veterans who are wheelchair-bound or who need wheelchairs, walkers and other types of mobility equipment.

The event, known as “Chuckwagons for Veterans,” is tentatively set for April 14 next year at the Four States Fairgrounds. It will be the first such event in Texarkana. Other parts of the country have hosted the event in recent years.

The fundraiser is designated to help local physically disabled veterans living within a 50-mile radius of Texarkana, said Greg Beck, president of Texarkana VVA No. 278.

“This will be a different approach to fundraising, but we are excited about trying this,” Beck said in the group’s recent newsletter. “We already have four wagons signed up.”

During a meeting Sunday, the members agreed to set up a separate account for the proceeds generated by the proposed fundraiser.

Jimmy Smith, one of the main organizers for the event, said Texarkana may be able to get as many as 10 to 12 wagons to cook and serve ribs, brisket and other meals to the public.

In other business, Beck announced that Shreveport’s Overton Brooks Veterans Affairs Medical Center will hold another veterans’ town hall meeting in Texarkana at 5 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Arkansas Convention Center.

For more information, call Beck at 870-773-8279