Veterans group donates to Ronald McDonald House
HELPING OTHERS — McDonald’s in Wintersville was the fitting site of a special presentation made Monday by the Vietnam Veterans Support Group, Chapter 1, Steubenville, to the Ronald McDonald House with the chapter giving $500, some of the proceeds raised during a tag day held in July. Chapter President Jeffrey Hawkins, standing center left, made the presentation to Amy Rayman, development director for Ronald McDonald Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, in the presence of chapter officers and members and Josh Barnett, front right, director of operations with Tomtreyco McDonald’s, who treated the veterans to lunch. -- Janice Kiaski
GROUP LEADERS — Officers of the Vietnam Veterans Support Group Chapter 1, Steubenville, who were on hand to present a $500 check to Amy Rayman, center, development director for Ronald McDonald Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, were, from left, Larry Knapp, sergeant at arms; Bruce Hornick, vice president; Jeffrey Hawkins, president; Martin Dalton, recording secretary; Jay Pace, treasurer; and Jack Ernest, chaplain. -- Janice Kiaski
HELPING OTHERS — McDonald’s in Wintersville was the fitting site of a special presentation made Monday by the Vietnam Veterans Support Group, Chapter 1, Steubenville, to the Ronald McDonald House with the chapter giving $500, some of the proceeds raised during a tag day held in July. Chapter President Jeffrey Hawkins, standing center left, made the presentation to Amy Rayman, development director for Ronald McDonald Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, in the presence of chapter officers and members and Josh Barnett, front right, director of operations with Tomtreyco McDonald’s, who treated the veterans to lunch. -- Janice Kiaski
GROUP LEADERS — Officers of the Vietnam Veterans Support Group Chapter 1, Steubenville, who were on hand to present a $500 check to Amy Rayman, center, development director for Ronald McDonald Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, were, from left, Larry Knapp, sergeant at arms; Bruce Hornick, vice president; Jeffrey Hawkins, president; Martin Dalton, recording secretary; Jay Pace, treasurer; and Jack Ernest, chaplain. -- Janice Kiaski
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WINTERSVILLE -- It was a mutual "Lovin it" experience on Monday when officers and members of the Vietnam Veterans Support Group, Chapter 1, Steubenville, donated $500 to the Ronald McDonald House.
Jeffrey Hawkins, chapter president, made the presentation in the presence of officers and members to Amy Rayman, development director for Ronald McDonald Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown.
"This donation means that they are part of the vast community of folks who support the charity and the families who rely on us, whether they're coming to stay with us at our houses or they're utilizing our care mobile services, we are here to support families when they're going through a medical journey with their child," commented an appreciative Rayman.
The donation was made possible from the chapter's annual tag day fundraiser held in July at Wal-Mart, which generated a little more than $3,000, "a substantial amount," Hawkins said.
Making donations is nothing new for the chapter that was incorporated in 1988 and constitutes a fellowship for all combat veterans, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq, Global War on Terror.
"We do an annual fundraiser every year, and we try to give back to the community," Hawkins said, noting Ronald McDonald House is a well-known organization.
Hawkins and John Radvansky, past president, cited a number of ways the chapter has offered financial help to organizations and individuals with an emphasis on veterans.
That includes, for example, giving $1,000 at Christmas for a needy vet or cause. The group has helped, for example, the Tri-State Young Marines, Coats for Kids and widows of veterans.
"Another thing that we do is that if there's a veteran that has lost a loved one, we donate a certain amount of money to that family to help them out," Hawkins said.
"We have something set up in our program if there is a needy veteran, between the president, the chaplain and the treasurer, we can give them $300 without the approval of going through the meeting process," Radvansky said.
The chapter also assists with making wheelchairs and walkers available and helps build ramps for veterans who need one, according to Hawkins.
Officers of the chapter, aside from Hawkins, are Bruce Hornick; Jay Pace, treasuer; Martin Dalton, recording secretary; Larry Knapp, sergeant at arms; and Jack Ernest, chaplain.
Other chapter members on hand for the donation presentation were Phillip Sadler, "Stash" Albaugh, Paul Walker, Mike Rabbit, Mike Bongart, Dave Gray, Gary Maffioli, Charlie Keener, Skip Jones, Jim Bissett, Ralph Hilderbrand and Ron Boggess.
The group was treated to lunch by Josh Barnett, director of operations with Tomtreyco McDonald's.
The Wintersville McDonald's where the presentation was made also is home to what support group members refer to as "Dalton's office." Dalton, who was singled out as Jefferson County Veteran of the Year in 2021, spends time there and engages veterans in conversation, helping them know that the support group exists and that it is affiliated with the Jefferson County Veterans Service Commission.
For information call (740) 283-8571.
The support group meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. in room 305 of Jefferson County Tower, located at 500 Market St., Steubenville.
On the last Wednesday of the month, pizza is served.
"We discuss a number of things," Hawkins said of the casual format. "The nice thing about it is whatever is said in this meeting, or whatever we discussed, stays here. Basically, we just have a nice time, more or less have camaraderie among the veterans and share experiences," Hawkins noted.
"They can speak freely. We're all brothers. We love each other. We try to help each other," Hawkins added.
On the third Friday of every month, chapter members go out for breakfast at Bob Evans in Weirton.
This month, however, was the exception as it was the observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day with a local ceremony held at noon.