A sold-out crowd of 125 Legion Riders and guests enjoyed a night of music recently while helping veterans.
“Veterans helping veterans, that’s what it’s all about,” said Honey Brook Legion Rider Edward Skiles, a Navy veteran.
Held at the American Legion Post 422 Honey Brook Hall on Jan. 17, the Band Night fundraiser benefits the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
“Every year in January, we have a fundraiser for the Coatesville VA Hospital,” said Skiles, who is also Financial Officer for the American Legion Post 422.
The event includes a live band performance and 50/50 raffles. There is an admission charged. Last year, the band Vuja De provided the live entertainment and Lil-Ragu Blues Band played this year, playing rock and blues.
“All the money we raise, we raise for the VA hospital. This year we called down to the hospital, we asked them, ‘What do you need?'”
The Legion Riders were told that the hospital needed clothing. Using funds raised at the January 2014 Band Night, the Legion Riders went to Good’s Store by Shady Maple and purchased $1,000 worth of clothing for men and women, including long underwear, sweat pants, sweat shirts, socks, underwear, coats, gloves and hats.
“We were looking for good, durable winter clothing.”
Legion Riders Robert Hubert, Tom Twaddell, Skiles and Cliff Froggatt, all veterans, delivered the clothing donations to the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center in time for Christmas.
“That way they have something new to open on Christmas.”
The January 2015 Band Night raised $1,300, which will be used for a donation for Christmas 2015 and purchase items the center needs for the veterans.
Skiles said they feel it is important to give to the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center because of what the center does for veterans. Those who return from service are taken care of. Those who are on a fixed income receive medical care for free. The Center also provides housing to veterans, said Skiles.
“I don’t think people realize it’s one of the largest VA hospitals in the country,” he said. “I think it goes unrecognized for what they do. I’ve known a lot of people who have gotten care there… They just do a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s such a great thing to do for our veterans. We do this fundraiser every January and we keep it for the VA hospital and we probably will continue to do that.”
Because the event was sold out this year, the Legion Riders are considering whether they will move the event to a bigger facility so they do not have to turn people away next year.
