Helping hands for the holidays
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the iconic Christmas song mentions. And we can agree, now reflecting upon the unwavering support we have seen for area veterans and first responders in 2024.
It has been a charitable and inspirational year unlike others, and we’re happy to announce that Homeless & Wounded Warriors — MN recently purchased several thousand dollars in Christmas gifts to “wrap up” the season for veterans with children. HWW-MN works with county veterans services to identify the families that could use a little help this season, then sends volunteers to tackle the Christmas shopping and gift wrapping. It’s a special way to spread joy during the holidays and ensure that these families’ sacrifices are not forgotten.
That’s just one, little example of how HWW-MN makes a difference. Through raffles, events and other fundraisers, this organization raises money that helps veterans with car repairs, home repairs, clothing, food, bills and more. In fact, from August through October 2024, HWW-MN donated an astounding $60,000, benefiting veterans and families in Crow Wing, Morrison, Aitkin and Cass Counties, according to Russ Philstrom, HWW-MN chairman.
“As we enter the cold-weather season, we are getting calls to provide fuel for heating and helping veterans meet the financial needs to get into proper housing,” Philstrom said. “We are very pleased to be able to pay it forward for our brothers and sisters.”
Fishing gear raffle to kick off 2025
After Christmas, it’s time to get right back to another fundraising campaign in 2025, with a fishing gear raffle at The Bridge Tavern of Crosby. These Saturday-night raffles have become a staple of Homeless & Wounded Warriors — MN, raising several thousand dollars each time. The official event date for this upcoming raffle (early February) has yet to be announced, so in the spirit of ice fishing, just be patient!
Of course, our team at Your Home Sold Guaranteed is always on its own mission to raise $10,000 for Homeless & Wounded Warriors — MN, along with additional funds and support for the Nisswa Fire Department and Eagles Healing Nest of Sauk Centre. We do this through your real estate referrals and with every commission we receive. So if you know anyone buying or selling real estate, please refer them to our team and help the veterans and first responders in the process!
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the Eagles Healing Nest will present “Connie Lee Country Christmas.” Arrive early for a noon lunch served by the veterans, followed performances at 1 and 3 p.m.
Then Santa will make a last-minute stop at The Nest on Christmas Day! RSVP at 320-351-6200 for the noon lunch and free-will offering that supports this worthy organization! Eagles Healing Nest is located at 310 U.S. 71 N, Sauk Centre, MN.
At Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty Exclusive, we’re on a mission to raise more than $10,000 for Homeless & Wounded Warriors — MN through real estate transactions in 2025. We donate a portion of the commission from every sale directly to this worthy organization that assists our dear veterans in need. We get to see firsthand the difference that this organization makes in the lives of local veterans and their families and are proud to make this part of our “Go Serve Big” mission.
Refer a friend or relative, help the veterans
If you know anyone potentially buying or selling real estate, please let them know about our mission. Not only will they help the veterans, but they’ll benefit from an experienced real estate team backed by a library of expertise and professional resources.
Did you know we are in our new office in Nisswa? Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty Exclusive is now located at 24199 State Hwy 371, Nisswa, MN 56468. Stop by and see us today, or give us a call or text anytime at 218-963-5857. Go Serve Big!
More about Homeless & Wounded Warriors — MN
Homeless and Wounded Warriors — MN was created by three veteran motorcyclists in 2005. The goal was to raise funds to help homeless veterans find adequate housing, along with supportive services. The group later moved its organization from St. Cloud to Crosslake and expanded from 60 businesses and organizations sponsoring to 134 from 2010-2016.
Furthermore, HWW — MN continues to fill the calendar each year with more fun and purposeful events, including an annual golf outing at Whitefish Golf Club now named the Stars & Stripes Scramble, a Rock’n on Whitefish concert on the lake, group motorcycle rides, kayak outings, Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs, fishing raffles and more.
The organization continues to grow and remain an all-volunteer group with no paid employees and very minimal administrative expenses, so more than 90 percent of the funds raised truly go to Minnesota veterans and their families.
