The Veteran’s Memorial Park of America is working hard to raise funds for construction at the site. The organization has planned benefits for the end of the summer and the fall, with proceeds going towards the building of the Veterans Community Outreach Center. Plans for a museum will follow after the completion of the facility.
The first VMPA benefit will be this Saturday, July 29, at Cruzer’s Drive Thru. Xtreme Kustoms Car Club and other sponsors will be putting on a car show for the park. Registrations will be from 9 – 11 a.m., and the show will be from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Judging is set to be completed by 12:30 p.m., with awards handed out at 2:30 p.m. Door prizes will be given out throughout the event. The registration fee is $15, and if you would like to do so ahead of time, you can pre-register by calling 910.918.2501. The rain date for the car show is Aug. 5. An administrator for the VMPA will be set up to receive proceeds and to collect any donations made to the park.
The ‘Freedom Isn’t Free’ motorcycle run will be on Saturday, Aug. 5, with registration from 8:30 – 10 a.m. at the park. Kickstands and boots will be off the ground at 10:30 a.m. The group will arrive at Beach House Harley Davidson located at 100 Harley Davidson Drive in Shallotte at 11:30 a.m., and at noon, the riders will head back to Columbus County. The event will end at 1 p.m. at Slugger’s Deli in Whiteville.
If you would like to participate in the run, the cost is $20 per motorcycle. For more information or to sign up, contact Don Edmunds at 910.207.1558 or Roz Skochinsky at 910.445.3062. A 50/50 raffle will also take place during the benefit.
On Nov. 22, the VMPA will be holding a rifle raffle. The organization will be selling tickets for a chance to win a Howa Boss-25 12 Gauge. You can purchase your tickets now for $10 each or $20 for 3. For more information about the raffle, call Randy Norris at 910.840.5207 or Skochinsky at 910.445.3062.
The park is still continuing their 250 Club Challenge to raise money. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, co-founder and treasurer for the VMPA, issued the challenge to the audience.
“I’m making a challenge to each and every one of you and everyone you know. We are going to be doing a 250 Club challenge, and I need at least 3,000 people to give a minimum of $250 each for the next phase of the park,” said Norris.
County representatives and other attendees accepted the challenge with open arms. Ten contributors pledged the $250 and several others vowed to donate $500.
If you would like to donate your $250 or any amount to the VMPA, you can reach Norris at 910.840.3848. The Veterans Memorial Park of America is located at 6354 James B. White Highway South in Whiteville. Cruzer’s can be found at 807 Jefferson Street. To find out more about the Veterans Memorial Park of America, visit the webpage at https://veteransparkofamerica.com/.
