Vermillion County veteran service officer seeks permission for raffle and outlines need for transport van funding

Eileen (Vermillion County Veteran Service Officer) addressed the commissioners to report on outreach, rising caseloads and plans to raise local funds for veteran services.

Eileen said she began in the role on Jan. 31 and that active caseloads have grown from fewer than 10 veterans to more than 30. She said American Legion posts and volunteers distributed flags over Memorial Day weekend and have assisted with outreach. To raise local funds for direct veteran aid—short‑term housing assistance, transportation, and help paying for pet care during treatment—Eileen proposed running a 50/50 raffle through American Legion Post 108 and said other posts have agreed to help sell tickets and host drawings on a rotating schedule.

She also said her office learned a county transportation van used to take veterans to appointments is at risk of being lost; she described a funding proposal in which three counties would share the cost of a used van, with Vermillion County’s share at about $5,000 (an average of roughly $2,500 per year). Eileen asked the commissioners to permit the raffle and to consider the county’s participation in a cost‑share for the van.

Commissioners responded positively in public comment: one commissioner called the raffle idea “fantastic,” and another said they were supportive of the van proposal and asked Eileen to keep the board updated. Eileen added she has submitted an email to county legal services to ensure raffle rules are followed. No formal county appropriation or commitment was made during the meeting; the officer asked the public to help spread the word and announced regular DD‑214 intake sessions at American Legion Post 108 on Saturdays in June.