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Veterans nonprofit RuckUp asks Cheshire County for short-term funding; commissioners agree to split support and seek delegation approval
Summary
RuckUp, a volunteer veterans services nonprofit, requested a $20,000 short-term county contribution; commissioners discussed using Hemingway Fund and opioid-abatement funds and directed staff to provide $10,000 now and pursue the remainder with the delegation.
Representatives from RuckUp, a volunteer veterans services nonprofit that provides outreach, counseling and advocacy for veterans, appealed to the Cheshire County commissioners on March 12 for short-term funding to cover an urgent financial squeeze.
Chris Minkler, president of RuckUp, and AJ Page, counseling director, described the organization’s services — outreach, group and one-to-one counseling, food shelf and assistance with VA and Social Security claims — and said RuckUp directly aided veterans across Cheshire County. Page said RuckUp distributed about $93,657 in direct assistance last year and helped secure roughly $1.889 million in benefit awards for clients through VA and Social Security claims work.
RuckUp asked the county for $20,000 as a short-term infusion, with the organization prepared to complete county outside-agency paperwork if it seeks ongoing support. Commissioners discussed two potential funding sources: opioid-settlement or abatement funds (which require delegation approval) and the Hemingway Fund (which the commissioners can allocate directly). Commissioners and staff debated timing and process: using Hemingway funds for an immediate payment and presenting an opioid-fund request to the delegation in the regular grant cycle.
County leadership proposed splitting the support: $10,000 from the Hemingway Fund immediately and $10,000 to be requested from opioid-abatement funds and considered by the delegation at its next meeting. Commissioners directed staff to prepare the paperwork for the short-term Hemingway disbursement and to bring a formal opioid-fund request to the delegation. Commissioner Skip and other commissioners asked for more detail about RuckUp’s partnerships; RuckUp representatives listed partnering groups such as ClearPath, Friends of Veterans, Easterseals and local motorcycle ride funders that assist with fuel and housing support.
RuckUp leaders emphasized that the organization is volunteer-run, that donated funds go directly to veterans, and described caps on the outreach program (typically $600–$800 per veteran family without additional board approval). Commissioners agreed to place the funding request on the delegation agenda and to approve a short immediate Hemingway disbursement pending formal paperwork.
