Council accepts $2,500 donation from Hopkins VFW Post 425 and proclaims Steve Shuey Day

The Eden Prairie City Council on Sept. 2 accepted a $2,500 donation from Hopkins VFW Post 425 to support the city's natural resource management program and proclaimed the day as “Steve Shuey Day” to honor his work with Eden Prairie Local News. City Manager Getchell introduced the donation and Park and Recreation Director Amy Markle described how the donation will be used to build a tool library for natural resources work, supplying gloves, safety glasses and similar supplies to help staff and volunteers manage invasive species and replant native species in conservation areas. Commander Lonnie Duff of Hopkins VFW Post 425 spoke briefly about the post's long history of service and its interest in community projects. Council then moved to accept the donation; the motion passed by voice vote without opposition. Later in the meeting the council read a proclamation recognizing Steve Shuey’s leadership of Eden Prairie Local News and his role in expanding local coverage; former mayor Nancy Lukens and others made remarks praising Shuey’s volunteer leadership and the paper’s role in civic engagement. City staff said the VFW donation will be applied to natural resource management activities, including an upcoming VFW national day of service event at Birch Island Woods Conservation Area. The council also thanked volunteers and noted that local news efforts have helped inform residents about local events and elections.