Jan 31, 2019
A VFW Post in North Carolina has raised more than $165,000 for autism programs in its community. Post 4066 in Shelby, N.C., donated $58,000 to Cleveland County (N.C.) Schools in June for the district’s autism programs.
Funds were raised thought private donations and Post events such as dinners, auctions, poker runs, raffles and yard sales. However, most of the money comes from an annual golf tournament, said Post 4066 Commander Clifford Ramsey.
“A lot of the money comes from community businesses that sponsor the event,” the Army veteran said. “We have a lot of folks who get involved in our golf tournaments each year.”
Over the past five years, Ramsey said, Post 4066’s donations have funded summer camp, scholarships, curricular materials, scholarships, staff training and parent events. He said Post 4066 is aiming to raise $200,000 by the end of April, which is National Autism Awareness Month.
Ramsey, who served with the 52nd Aviation Battalion in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive in 1968, said that he and others at the Post heard about many war veterans having children and grandchildren with autism.
“We just wanted to be able to help some of the teachers and children in Cleveland County in any way we could,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey said he and other members are “very pleased” with the support the community has given Post 4066 for the fundraising efforts.
“I’d say that VFW is very well recognized in the community,” Ramsey said. “We support just about everything going on in the community, such as fundraisers and anything that has to do with children.”
This article was featured in the January/February 2019 issue of VFW Checkpoint. If you're a Post, District or Department Commander and aren't receiving the Checkpoint e-newsletter, please contact the VFW magazine at magazine@vfw.org.