Memorable 2024 kickstarts New Year’s charitable efforts

Dozens of area children will begin the new year with a little more joy, thanks to the warmth and gratitude of our area friends, volunteers and everyone involved with Homeless & Wounded Warriors – MN.

Christmas 2024 is long gone for many of us, but it is likely not forgotten by the 50 children of military veterans who recently received gifts from HWW – MN.

“It’s just an honor and a privilege to be able to do some of these things,” said Russ Philstrom, chairman of HWW – MN.

Volunteer shoppers recently purchased and delivered more than $13,000 worth of items to veteran families and their children. That’s a gift-wrapped bundle of goodwill that we can all smile about, but there’s more.

In the past five months alone, HWW – MN has collaboratively raised more than $100,000 to help veterans, their families and other veteran organizations, according to Philstrom. One of those organizations is the Eagle’s Healing Nest of Sauk Centre, MN, which recently required major utility repairs to keep its veteran residents, volunteers and staff safe and warm during these winter months.

Speaking of winter months, the charitable events will continue very soon with another prize-filled event at the Bridge Tavern of Crosby, MN.

Ice fishing raffle tickets now on sale

Lace up the boots and scuffle across the parking lot for another ice-fishing raffle at the Bridge Tavern of Crosby on Saturday, Feb. 8.

The recurring event for Homeless & Wounded Warriors – MN features a wide selection of angling gear, ice rods, scoops, augers, tackle, guided trips, cash, gift cards and more. Perhaps one of the most coveted and heartwarming prizes is a lifetime fishing license for a youth angler. Of course, everyone is a winner simply by purchasing a ticket and helping such a worthy cause.

Raffle tickets are just $10 each, but unlike the day’s catch, there’s no limit to how many you can get! Tickets can be purchased the day of the event up until the 7 p.m. drawing or in advance from Russ Philstrom, 651-329-1373.

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 (volunteers pictured below), a Rock’n on Whitefish concert on the lake, group motorcycle rides, kayak outings, Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs, fishing and firearms 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. HWW – MN just wrapped up another successful year of awareness campaigning and fundraising. In fact, from August through December 2024 alone, the group helped raise more than $100,000 for area veterans and their families.