February 25, 2025 • 16 mins
On this episode of the Community Hour Show we highlight the transformative work of the Armed Forces Community Foundation, which aims to enhance the lives of military families through community support. Kevin West shares insights on fundraising successes and future initiatives.
• Overview of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation's role
• The mission and achievements of the Armed Forces Community Foundation
• Importance of community events like Stand-To-Match Day and their impact
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Philanthropy Today is brought to you by the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation.
In this episode we feature arecently broadcast segment of
the GMCF Community Hour, asheard on NewsRadio KMAN.
Welcome back to the GMCFCommunity Hour here on NewsRadio
KMAN.
We get to do this every Mondaymorning in the 10 o'clock time
(00:21):
frame and get a visit with anumber of organizations.
Some are non-profits, some arewith the community foundation's
infrastructure, others arefoundations in their own respect
, and our guests today are hererepresenting the Armed Forces
Community Foundation.
He is Kevin West.
He's the president.
Welcome back, sir.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Ah, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
It's nice to have Purple on.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
You know, with the women playing today, final home
game of the year.
Baylor coming into town, I'vegot to go.
Lavender and purple, youcombine both, I've got lavender
on.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Yes, but you know who is not wearing lavender is
Christine Benny.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
I'm still sad from Saturday.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Sad from Saturday.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Sad from Saturday, Sad from Saturday or sad from
Sunday, sorry.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Well, Sunday yeah, Sunday yes, Anyway but hey, you
know, we had a nice send-off forthe K-State Women Seniors on
Saturday.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Yeah, that was really nice.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
And a pretty good ball game too.
Yes, pretty good ball game.
Hey, let's talk about what youguys are doing, Kevin.
We're going to start with you,the Armed Forces Community
Foundation.
What's it all about?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Well we are.
I think, if I do my mathcorrectly, we're hitting about
our seventh year, and we startedin 2018.
And just looking at our missionstatement, we were to improve
the quality of life forservicemen and women and their
families by connecting donors toneeds in the military community
.
So it's kind of short and sweet, but the reality is we started
(01:51):
up a few years ago.
We knew we wanted to dosomething.
We weren't quite sure what wewere going to do, what it was
going to look like and how itwas going to turn out, but we
got a lot of people interestedin the community and we've been
able to get about 27organizations that support
military causes.
Some of them relate directly to1ID, like the Society of the
(02:15):
1st Infantry Division and someof their charitable work.
Others are supporting theveteran community at large
Wamego Honor Flight, taking someof the older veterans out to DC
.
But we knew there was a need outthere in the community and so
we started small.
(02:35):
We brought in a number of fundsand we have had match days
every year, and this last yearwe had our best match day ever.
We raised nearly $60,000.
And, due to Christine's hardwork with the Patterson Family
Foundation.
We received a one-for-one matchand then we were able to pass
(03:00):
on a 70% match to each of theparticipating groups.
So you know, we're supportingactive duty people, we're
supporting historicalorganizations, we support the
veterans.
If there is a veteran groupthat needs an umbrella of a 501,
we're able to help provide thatthrough GMCF.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
How does the Community Foundation if I recall
correctly, it's not just FortRiley based?
Speaker 2 (03:28):
No.
So we very deliberately werenot geographically restricted
when we started it up.
We really look at the communityas a military community, not
necessarily tied to Fort Riley,military community not
necessarily tied to Fort Riley.
So if we look at the Army NavyAir Force, we look at us as just
(03:54):
kind of our own organization.
We move around a lot but westill keep a lot of connection.
We have parts of theorganization that support
efforts in Ohio.
We have a chaplain fund thatsupports stuff out at what I
think we're calling Fort Braggagain.
So we work with Wichita, theformer DOD schools.
They've got a museum, they'vegot an effort down there where
(04:17):
they're trying to preserve thehistory.
So we are focused more onveteran community as a community
and not just a specificlocation.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Now you talk about down in Wichita and also
Leavenworth, of course you knowthat's a historic base.
Do they have their owncommunity foundations or do they
channel through the ArmedForces Community Foundation here
, christine?
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Yeah, so that is one area that we're looking into.
We do not have any funds fromFort Leavenworth yet, but we are
looking at helping them startsome funds with us or even
eventually maybe starting thecommunity foundation in
Leavenworth for their just likewhat we're doing here, but in
(04:59):
Leavenworth.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
So that's in the plans, in the works.
We're working on that and Worth.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
So that's in the plans, in the works.
We're working on that.
Well, one of the key factors, Ithink, to starting this
foundation is what you have seenwith the success of Grow Green
Match Day here with the GMCF,and you have your own match day
and Kevin alluded to this it'scalled the Stand 2 Match Day,
and you have a very special dayin which you host this.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Always on Veterans Day, so this year it'll be on
Tuesday, november 11th, whichsounds like it's a long ways
away, but it will get here soon.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
These things just don't happen.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
They don't happen.
We just started planning forthat and by planning we're
getting just some of ourmarketing materials together,
getting information to our fundholders and also, you know, if
there's any funds that want toparticipate in Stand 2 Match Day
, we're looking at having themcome on as well.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Okay, so let's talk a little bit about what all is
involved in Stand 2 Match Day.
There's a lot of activitiesthat you and a lot of it
revolves around some of theother Veterans Day activities we
have in Manhattan.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Well they do.
So it really starts withChristine getting out there and
trying to ensure that we have asponsor and once again, we've
got great news recently that thePatterson Family Foundation
will support us once again in2025.
So from that point, the boardnow that we know we've got that
laid on and we feel good aboutthat we communicate with the
(06:31):
fund holders that are part ofthe AFCF.
We make sure they've got theinformation.
We encourage them to reach outto their membership to
communicate that if anindividual would like to give
them a gift at some point duringthe year, yeah, maybe try to
make it over the Veterans Dayweekend.
So a number of them and I'lluse an example of the Society of
(06:54):
the First Division they makethat one of their premier
fundraising events and they tryto get a lot of those donations
focused in, because every dollarwe, every dollar short of our
$70,000 that they were willingto match and we came up just a
little short of $69,000, thatwas money we left on the table.
And so our goal this year is tokind of double down our effort
(07:18):
and make sure individuals whowould like to support an
organization are aware of thebest time to maximize that
support and that would beVeterans Day.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Okay, Well, I know when we get closer to November
we're going to be talking a lotabout some Veterans Day
activities here on this show.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
we have a lot of fun in this town with Veterans Day
activities, new funds that areassociated with the Armed Forces
Community Foundation.
What all you got in the hopper?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Well, I'd say the American Overseas Historical
Society.
They were created in 1995.
For generations we had a lot ofDepartment of Defense schools
that were overseas, and as we'vedrawn down forces and changed
our footprint worldwide, they'vebeen closed, of course, and so
(08:13):
this organization is trying tocapture the history and
recognize about 17 millionschool children who went through
the Dodd system 17 millionschool children who went through
the Dodd system, and so this isan effort for them to take
advantage of their history, getsome support, build a museum and
make sure that part of ourmilitary history isn't lost.
(08:34):
Not a new fund this year, byany stretch of the imagination,
but the Wamego honor flight hada great fundraising this year.
Uh, they got.
Let me see here they earned.
They raised nearly 6 300, andthen they got another 70 on top
(08:55):
of that for the match, and Ibelieve they're trying to work
another flight here in the nextfew months.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
uh, so in fact, we're going to be visiting, be
visiting with them in a coupleof weeks here on the show to
bring them up to date bring usup to date on their efforts.
That's one of my favoriteefforts.
I mean talk about you know theimpact that it makes on these
veterans, but then also what aneducational opportunity it is
for those high school studentsto be a part of this.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
It is.
It is.
It is Another one, not a newone, but they just had another
great year and they had a greatseason out at Fort Riley because
Operation Santa Claus Match day.
This year they raised nearly$7,400, another 70% back on the
match.
But they have their facilityout there at the fort and
(09:45):
supporting a lot of the juniorenlisted soldiers and their
families.
Just remarkable effort outthere, Completely volunteer run
too.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Okay, well, it's nice to see the work that's being
done and how it's helping somany others you know and
creating memories, like you said, with the honor flight that I
just I want to go.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Well, it's not too late to enlist.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yes, it is for me.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
It is for me.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
I was.
I want to bring up also theFlint Hills Veterans Coalition.
That of course happens whilewe're doing our match day Right.
They are starting up theirmeetings March 11th over the
chamber starting at 1030.
So more than welcome to join.
You don't have to be in themilitary.
You don't have to have been inthe military If you want to come
out and support the militaryand help plan a parade and have
(10:39):
some donation or raise money todonate money to ROTC
organizations.
This is a great group of peopleto work with.
This year they also took onworking with the Stormy Kennedy
and Mel Borst who put on FlagDay on June 14th at City Hall,
(11:02):
and so the Veterans Coalitionhas kind of wrapped their arms
around that group and will behelping support their efforts to
do flag day that's somethingthat stormy's very passionate,
very passionate about, and soit's been great working with her
and getting to know her.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
So, yeah, she, uh, she loves the history of this
community.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
She's got a lot of history.
Oh my gosh, she is greatstories, great stories
especially this her times uh,going into the uh peace memorial
auditorium.
All of the uh activities thathappened there.
So yeah, that was a nicevolunteer group that made some
special happen down there at thePeace Memorial Auditorium.
All of the activities thathappened there.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
So yeah, that was a nice volunteer group that made
some special happen down thereat the at the well, I guess it
used to be just known as CityAuditorium.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Right City Auditorium .
How boring, yeah right.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
So much better, Kevin .
You have a special event comingup.
Trap and Skeet.
This seems like a natural fitfor you, doesn't it?
Speaker 2 (12:00):
I think it will be.
We had golf tournaments as someof our first fundraisers and
one of the challenges we runinto around here is we only have
so many good months and thereare a lot of organizations that
try to do golf tournaments asfundraisers and we were really
having a hard time finding aweekend where you know we
(12:21):
weren't throwing one more eventon.
So we talked about it and weare going to plan on a trap and
skeet event for a fundraiserlater this year.
We have a commitment from theorganization.
We don't have a date yet, butwe will put that information out
and I think that's going to bea fun fun activity, you know.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
One of the things that I've noticed is there are
so many people that you knowwhen they retire here, they love
being able to go out and hunt,yes, and anytime they get an
opportunity to break out theguns and present those, they
certainly have a tremendousamount of fun doing that.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Well, and we think having a trap and ski kind of
event lets us reach a differentgroup of people that may not be
aware that we exist, of what wedo and who would like to
contribute to our fundraisingefforts.
So we think we're broadeningour reach a little bit now.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
What all is involved in starting a new event like
this, Because you've got a lotof logistics, but then also
you've one of the things that'skey to these opportunities is
finding sponsorships.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Well, you know, ask me in about six months.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Okay, all right, six months out of July, yeah, yeah,
almost August.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Yeah, we, uh.
So this originated just in ourmeeting a couple of months ago.
We have a monthly boardmeetings.
Uh, we were brainstorming ideason what we could do other than
a golf tournament and trap andski came up as something to look
at and in the last couple ofweeks Randy Boyle really kind of
(13:57):
jumped into that one.
He got the commitment.
So we are.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Dude makes things happen, doesn't he?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
We will.
So we get to figure out thesponsors, we get to advertise it
.
We need to figure out where andhow to advertise it.
Got to figure out how tosupport it.
So it'll be a fun new endeavor.
It will not be a rinse andrepeat from a golf tournament.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Yeah, we don't talk about too many of these types of
events here on the show.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
No.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Yeah, that'll be fun.
Stand to match day for 2025,Christine Veterans Day.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Veterans Day.
It'll be ready, so startlooking for some information
later this summer, okay, andwe'll probably be back on closer
to in October, november, earlyNovember, probably October, I
guess, to talk about it again,and we'll be in full swing by
then.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
So and I know one of the things that we talk about
this is not limited to membersof our military community.
All these activities, oh,absolutely not, you know, and
the foundation that you have andthe efforts that you have and
the various programs you supportdon't necessarily just support
those in the military or requirethose to support them have to
be related to the military.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Right, so you know.
All these organizations arenonprofits.
Most of them are all volunteernonprofits, so they take people
to help to run them and theyhave boards.
No-transcript.
(15:45):
Help you find an organizationthat'll work for you.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
That website, armedforcescforg.
Kevin West, always a delight tohave you in.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Always a pleasure to be here, keep sporting the
purple.
That's good, that's a good lookon you, Christine Benny, always
a delight.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Always, I'm going to go home and change into my
purple for tonight.
What's about time?
Yes, got to do that by noon.
That's a rule.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
That's right Coming up.
Next we're going to talk aboutsome strategic planning within
the organization of the
Philanthropy Today is brought to you by the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation.
In this episode we feature arecently broadcast segment of
the GMCF Community Hour, asheard on NewsRadio KMAN.
Welcome back to the GMCFCommunity Hour here on NewsRadio
KMAN.
We get to do this every Mondaymorning in the 10 o'clock time
(00:21):
frame and get a visit with anumber of organizations.
Some are non-profits, some arewith the community foundation's
infrastructure, others arefoundations in their own respect
, and our guests today are hererepresenting the Armed Forces
Community Foundation.
He is Kevin West.
He's the president.
Welcome back, sir.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Ah, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
It's nice to have Purple on.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
You know, with the women playing today, final home
game of the year.
Baylor coming into town, I'vegot to go.
Lavender and purple, youcombine both, I've got lavender
on.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Yes, but you know who is not wearing lavender is
Christine Benny.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
I'm still sad from Saturday.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Sad from Saturday.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Sad from Saturday, Sad from Saturday or sad from
Sunday, sorry.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Well, Sunday yeah, Sunday yes, Anyway but hey, you
know, we had a nice send-off forthe K-State Women Seniors on
Saturday.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Yeah, that was really nice.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
And a pretty good ball game too.
Yes, pretty good ball game.
Hey, let's talk about what youguys are doing, Kevin.
We're going to start with you,the Armed Forces Community
Foundation.
What's it all about?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Well we are.
I think, if I do my mathcorrectly, we're hitting about
our seventh year, and we startedin 2018.
And just looking at our missionstatement, we were to improve
the quality of life forservicemen and women and their
families by connecting donors toneeds in the military community
.
So it's kind of short and sweet, but the reality is we started
(01:51):
up a few years ago.
We knew we wanted to dosomething.
We weren't quite sure what wewere going to do, what it was
going to look like and how itwas going to turn out, but we
got a lot of people interestedin the community and we've been
able to get about 27organizations that support
military causes.
Some of them relate directly to1ID, like the Society of the
(02:15):
1st Infantry Division and someof their charitable work.
Others are supporting theveteran community at large
Wamego Honor Flight, taking someof the older veterans out to DC
.
But we knew there was a need outthere in the community and so
we started small.
(02:35):
We brought in a number of fundsand we have had match days
every year, and this last yearwe had our best match day ever.
We raised nearly $60,000.
And, due to Christine's hardwork with the Patterson Family
Foundation.
We received a one-for-one matchand then we were able to pass
(03:00):
on a 70% match to each of theparticipating groups.
So you know, we're supportingactive duty people, we're
supporting historicalorganizations, we support the
veterans.
If there is a veteran groupthat needs an umbrella of a 501,
we're able to help provide thatthrough GMCF.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
How does the Community Foundation if I recall
correctly, it's not just FortRiley based?
Speaker 2 (03:28):
No.
So we very deliberately werenot geographically restricted
when we started it up.
We really look at the communityas a military community, not
necessarily tied to Fort Riley,military community not
necessarily tied to Fort Riley.
So if we look at the Army NavyAir Force, we look at us as just
(03:54):
kind of our own organization.
We move around a lot but westill keep a lot of connection.
We have parts of theorganization that support
efforts in Ohio.
We have a chaplain fund thatsupports stuff out at what I
think we're calling Fort Braggagain.
So we work with Wichita, theformer DOD schools.
They've got a museum, they'vegot an effort down there where
(04:17):
they're trying to preserve thehistory.
So we are focused more onveteran community as a community
and not just a specificlocation.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Now you talk about down in Wichita and also
Leavenworth, of course you knowthat's a historic base.
Do they have their owncommunity foundations or do they
channel through the ArmedForces Community Foundation here
, christine?
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Yeah, so that is one area that we're looking into.
We do not have any funds fromFort Leavenworth yet, but we are
looking at helping them startsome funds with us or even
eventually maybe starting thecommunity foundation in
Leavenworth for their just likewhat we're doing here, but in
(04:59):
Leavenworth.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
So that's in the plans, in the works.
We're working on that and Worth.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
So that's in the plans, in the works.
We're working on that.
Well, one of the key factors, Ithink, to starting this
foundation is what you have seenwith the success of Grow Green
Match Day here with the GMCF,and you have your own match day
and Kevin alluded to this it'scalled the Stand 2 Match Day,
and you have a very special dayin which you host this.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Always on Veterans Day, so this year it'll be on
Tuesday, november 11th, whichsounds like it's a long ways
away, but it will get here soon.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
These things just don't happen.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
They don't happen.
We just started planning forthat and by planning we're
getting just some of ourmarketing materials together,
getting information to our fundholders and also, you know, if
there's any funds that want toparticipate in Stand 2 Match Day
, we're looking at having themcome on as well.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Okay, so let's talk a little bit about what all is
involved in Stand 2 Match Day.
There's a lot of activitiesthat you and a lot of it
revolves around some of theother Veterans Day activities we
have in Manhattan.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Well they do.
So it really starts withChristine getting out there and
trying to ensure that we have asponsor and once again, we've
got great news recently that thePatterson Family Foundation
will support us once again in2025.
So from that point, the boardnow that we know we've got that
laid on and we feel good aboutthat we communicate with the
(06:31):
fund holders that are part ofthe AFCF.
We make sure they've got theinformation.
We encourage them to reach outto their membership to
communicate that if anindividual would like to give
them a gift at some point duringthe year, yeah, maybe try to
make it over the Veterans Dayweekend.
So a number of them and I'lluse an example of the Society of
(06:54):
the First Division they makethat one of their premier
fundraising events and they tryto get a lot of those donations
focused in, because every dollarwe, every dollar short of our
$70,000 that they were willingto match and we came up just a
little short of $69,000, thatwas money we left on the table.
And so our goal this year is tokind of double down our effort
(07:18):
and make sure individuals whowould like to support an
organization are aware of thebest time to maximize that
support and that would beVeterans Day.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Okay, Well, I know when we get closer to November
we're going to be talking a lotabout some Veterans Day
activities here on this show.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Absolutely so.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
we have a lot of fun in this town with Veterans Day
activities, new funds that areassociated with the Armed Forces
Community Foundation.
What all you got in the hopper?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Well, I'd say the American Overseas Historical
Society.
They were created in 1995.
For generations we had a lot ofDepartment of Defense schools
that were overseas, and as we'vedrawn down forces and changed
our footprint worldwide, they'vebeen closed, of course, and so
(08:13):
this organization is trying tocapture the history and
recognize about 17 millionschool children who went through
the Dodd system 17 millionschool children who went through
the Dodd system, and so this isan effort for them to take
advantage of their history, getsome support, build a museum and
make sure that part of ourmilitary history isn't lost.
(08:34):
Not a new fund this year, byany stretch of the imagination,
but the Wamego honor flight hada great fundraising this year.
Uh, they got.
Let me see here they earned.
They raised nearly 6 300, andthen they got another 70 on top
(08:55):
of that for the match, and Ibelieve they're trying to work
another flight here in the nextfew months.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
uh, so in fact, we're going to be visiting, be
visiting with them in a coupleof weeks here on the show to
bring them up to date bring usup to date on their efforts.
That's one of my favoriteefforts.
I mean talk about you know theimpact that it makes on these
veterans, but then also what aneducational opportunity it is
for those high school studentsto be a part of this.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
It is.
It is.
It is Another one, not a newone, but they just had another
great year and they had a greatseason out at Fort Riley because
Operation Santa Claus Match day.
This year they raised nearly$7,400, another 70% back on the
match.
But they have their facilityout there at the fort and
(09:45):
supporting a lot of the juniorenlisted soldiers and their
families.
Just remarkable effort outthere, Completely volunteer run
too.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Okay, well, it's nice to see the work that's being
done and how it's helping somany others you know and
creating memories, like you said, with the honor flight that I
just I want to go.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Well, it's not too late to enlist.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yes, it is for me.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
It is for me.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
I was.
I want to bring up also theFlint Hills Veterans Coalition.
That of course happens whilewe're doing our match day Right.
They are starting up theirmeetings March 11th over the
chamber starting at 1030.
So more than welcome to join.
You don't have to be in themilitary.
You don't have to have been inthe military If you want to come
out and support the militaryand help plan a parade and have
(10:39):
some donation or raise money todonate money to ROTC
organizations.
This is a great group of peopleto work with.
This year they also took onworking with the Stormy Kennedy
and Mel Borst who put on FlagDay on June 14th at City Hall,
(11:02):
and so the Veterans Coalitionhas kind of wrapped their arms
around that group and will behelping support their efforts to
do flag day that's somethingthat stormy's very passionate,
very passionate about, and soit's been great working with her
and getting to know her.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
So, yeah, she, uh, she loves the history of this
community.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
She's got a lot of history.
Oh my gosh, she is greatstories, great stories
especially this her times uh,going into the uh peace memorial
auditorium.
All of the uh activities thathappened there.
So yeah, that was a nicevolunteer group that made some
special happen down there at thePeace Memorial Auditorium.
All of the activities thathappened there.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
So yeah, that was a nice volunteer group that made
some special happen down thereat the at the well, I guess it
used to be just known as CityAuditorium.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Right City Auditorium .
How boring, yeah right.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
So much better, Kevin .
You have a special event comingup.
Trap and Skeet.
This seems like a natural fitfor you, doesn't it?
Speaker 2 (12:00):
I think it will be.
We had golf tournaments as someof our first fundraisers and
one of the challenges we runinto around here is we only have
so many good months and thereare a lot of organizations that
try to do golf tournaments asfundraisers and we were really
having a hard time finding aweekend where you know we
(12:21):
weren't throwing one more eventon.
So we talked about it and weare going to plan on a trap and
skeet event for a fundraiserlater this year.
We have a commitment from theorganization.
We don't have a date yet, butwe will put that information out
and I think that's going to bea fun fun activity, you know.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
One of the things that I've noticed is there are
so many people that you knowwhen they retire here, they love
being able to go out and hunt,yes, and anytime they get an
opportunity to break out theguns and present those, they
certainly have a tremendousamount of fun doing that.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Well, and we think having a trap and ski kind of
event lets us reach a differentgroup of people that may not be
aware that we exist, of what wedo and who would like to
contribute to our fundraisingefforts.
So we think we're broadeningour reach a little bit now.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
What all is involved in starting a new event like
this, Because you've got a lotof logistics, but then also
you've one of the things that'skey to these opportunities is
finding sponsorships.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Well, you know, ask me in about six months.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Okay, all right, six months out of July, yeah, yeah,
almost August.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Yeah, we, uh.
So this originated just in ourmeeting a couple of months ago.
We have a monthly boardmeetings.
Uh, we were brainstorming ideason what we could do other than
a golf tournament and trap andski came up as something to look
at and in the last couple ofweeks Randy Boyle really kind of
(13:57):
jumped into that one.
He got the commitment.
So we are.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Dude makes things happen, doesn't he?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
We will.
So we get to figure out thesponsors, we get to advertise it
.
We need to figure out where andhow to advertise it.
Got to figure out how tosupport it.
So it'll be a fun new endeavor.
It will not be a rinse andrepeat from a golf tournament.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Yeah, we don't talk about too many of these types of
events here on the show.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
No.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Yeah, that'll be fun.
Stand to match day for 2025,Christine Veterans Day.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Veterans Day.
It'll be ready, so startlooking for some information
later this summer, okay, andwe'll probably be back on closer
to in October, november, earlyNovember, probably October, I
guess, to talk about it again,and we'll be in full swing by
then.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
So and I know one of the things that we talk about
this is not limited to membersof our military community.
All these activities, oh,absolutely not, you know, and
the foundation that you have andthe efforts that you have and
the various programs you supportdon't necessarily just support
those in the military or requirethose to support them have to
be related to the military.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Right, so you know.
All these organizations arenonprofits.
Most of them are all volunteernonprofits, so they take people
to help to run them and theyhave boards.
No-transcript.
(15:45):
Help you find an organizationthat'll work for you.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
That website, armedforcescforg.
Kevin West, always a delight tohave you in.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Always a pleasure to be here, keep sporting the
purple.
That's good, that's a good lookon you, Christine Benny, always
a delight.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Always, I'm going to go home and change into my
purple for tonight.
What's about time?
Yes, got to do that by noon.
That's a rule.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
That's right Coming up.
Next we're going to talk aboutsome strategic planning within
the organization of the
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