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Organizers present $11,300 to East Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard
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Summary
Organizers of a license-plate birdhouse fundraiser presented an $11,000 check and $300 cash to the East Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard; speakers said the program has raised more than $1,000,000 since about 2008 and pays for resident-centered items such as iPads, TVs and gift cards.
Organizers gathered at the East Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard to present an $11,000 check and $300 in cash raised through a license-plate birdhouse fundraiser that speakers said has generated more than $1,000,000 for veterans programs since about 2008.
An event host announced the presentation and handed the check to center staff. "I'd like to present the center with $11,000 check," the host said during the ceremony. The same organizer also delivered $300 in cash that was donated after organizers sold or recycled unused license plates.
The center's representative thanked donors and described how the money is used both for center-wide needs and for person-centered gifts. "The veterans are grateful, and it means a lot," the representative said, adding that contributions have paid for items such as iPads to help a resident play games with a granddaughter, a large television with movie lights, and adaptive devices that let veterans listen to music outdoors.
Haven King, a former county clerk who described herself as involved since about 2008, reiterated the fundraiser's scale. "We've raised over 1000000 dollars here on these birdhouses," King said, crediting volunteers and county clerks across the state for collecting plates and assembling birdhouses that are sold to benefit veterans.
Craig Lynn, who identified himself as an elections vendor from Wolfe County, praised the program's volunteers and said he is "glad to be a part of this program" that contributes to veterans' wellbeing.
Speakers listed other items purchased with fundraiser proceeds, including Nintendo Switch consoles with senior and fitness packages, smart glasses that allow veterans to listen to music privately, wireless audio kits and gift cards used for meals and special events. Organizers said roughly $700 in McDonald's gift cards was purchased this year for resident treats and special meals were served during holiday programming.
Speakers repeatedly praised an organizer named Winston as the originator and the person keeping the program running. They also expressed hope that a donor might fund a fountain for the facility's front yard.
County Judge Terry Adams offered brief remarks thanking veterans and supporting the facility, and Dahl Hovarup of the Electric County Veterans Memorial Museum closed the event with holiday greetings on the government channel broadcast.
Organizers and center staff encouraged anyone with spare license plates or an interest in volunteering to contact program coordinators; no formal vote or policy action occurred at the event.
