Annual Report 2013
MISSON
To uphold the principles of the Constitution of the United States.
To promote the goals and objectives of all veteran organizations for the common good;
and the welfare of active and veteran personnel of all the Uniformed Services, as well
as their dependents and survivors.
To foster and support the exchange of information and ideas among all veteran
organizations in order to provide better service to veterans and their families.
ABOUT
The Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc. (FVVC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable
organization. The FVVC is composed of area veteran service organizations and
associate members who provide emergency funding for basic needs to area veterans,
those still serving, their dependents and survivors. The FVVC also provides a forum
within the Fox Valley to disseminate information among veteran organizations, and
supports activities for the common good of all veterans. Additionally, the FVVC supports
the Outagamie County Veterans Memorial and presents the Outagamie County annual
Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies.
A primary goal of the FVVC is to sustain a Veterans Emergency Fund that serves
veterans who are in need of emergency financial assistance in Outagamie, Northern
Winnebago and Calumet Counties. Applicants must provide a copy of a DD Form 214
showing honorable service, and copies of bills for consideration. Assistance is paid
directly to creditors. 100% of donations to the Veterans Emergency Fund go directly to
our local veterans. The FVVC works with the County Veterans Service Offices to
determine eligibility of applicants for financial assistance.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jim Strong (President)
Dave Evans (Vice President)
Barbara Miller (Secretary/Treasurer)
Amanda Krueger
Sandra Meyer
Phil Burns
Brian Casey
FVVC Annual Report 2013 | Page 2
PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc. (FVVC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. The FVVC
is composed of area veterans service organizations and associate members who provide emergency
funding for basic needs to area veterans, those still serving, their dependents and survivors. The FVVC
also provides a forum within the Fox Valley to disseminate information among veterans service
organizations, and supports activities for the common good of all veterans. The FVVC created and
maintains the Outagamie County Veterans Memorial in the old courthouse, and also hosts the Outagamie
County annual Memorial ceremony and Veterans Day ceremony.
A primary goal of the FVVC is to sustain a Veterans Emergency Fund that serves veterans who are in
need of emergency financial assistance in Outagamie, Northern Winnebago and Calumet Counties.
Applicants must provide a copy of a DD form 214 showing honorable service, and copies of bills for
consideration. Assistance is paid directly to creditors. 100% of donations to the Veterans Emergency
Fund go directly to our local veterans. The FVVC works with the County Veterans Service Offices to
determine eligibility of applicants for financial assistance.
The FVVC has had a positive impact on the Fox Valley community since March of 2011. The fund has
assisted 178 veterans/families—dispersing more than $118,000. Requests for assistance have grown
with 27 in 2011, 114 in 2012, and 190 in 2013. In 2013, the Veterans Emergency Fund provided funds for
91 of 190 applicants. We estimate 145 requests totaling $121,000 will be needed in 2014. We need
additional funding to meet this growing need. With continued support from current donors, and new
fundraising opportunities, we will be able to meet the needs of our veterans/families in 2014.
The FVVC partners with American National Bank Fox Cities, receiving use of office space, marketing
support, and donations to the Veterans Emergency Fund from their Save4Vets program. The FVVC
has partnered with and received donations from: The Community Foundation, United Way, Nick’s Ride
to Remember, Timber Rattlers Military Appreciation Day, Wisconsin Honors, DAV, Vietnam Veterans of
America, American Legion, as well as school fundraisers, individuals and small businesses. In the coming
year, the Council plans to hold several fundraising events including a golf outing, and sponsoring Military
Appreciation Day with the Timber Rattlers.
The FVVC along with LEAVEN, provided testimony that increased
Outagamie County Veterans Fund to over $11,000 from the $4,000
designated for 2014; a well-deserved, victory for area veterans.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed in one way or another to help
the FVVC achieve our goals. The FVVC is positioned to expand its
capabilities through the continued support of its members and community
partners in 2014.
James Strong, President
FVVC Annual Report 2013 | Page 3
VETERANS EMERGENCY FUND SUMMARY - 2013
190 VETERAN ASSISTANCE REQUESTS
91 VETERANS ASSISTED:
Mortgage/Rent
Electric/Water/Gas
Auto Payments/Repairs
Security Deposit
Other
$36,177
$17,543
$ 3,432
$ 4,920
$ 2,209
TOTAL
$64,281
DONATIONS RECEIVED:
Organizations
Foundations/Grants
Veterans Service Organizations
Individuals
Fundraising Events
$11,540
$20,200
$ 6,950
$ 7,285
$19,579
TOTAL
$65,554
VETERANS EMERGENCY FUND PROGRAM PROJECTIONS* - 2014
Estimated Assistance Requests:
Estimated Program Funds Needed:
145
$121,000
*Projections are based on the requests for assistance demonstrated over 2011-2013.
FVVC Annual Report 2013 | Page 4
VETERANS EMERGENCY FUND MAKES A DIFFERENCE
“There is no way I could ever possibly thank you and the people of the Fox Valley Veterans Council
enough. The assistance that you have provided for me is above and beyond helpful. Not only am I
grateful for your services, this is by far the best gift I have ever received. The services you and the
Veterans Council provide are priceless and will never be forgotten. I am truly grateful. Thank you so
much for all of your assistance and support.” (Assisted with rent and utilities)
“Once I can get out of this rut you can count on future financial support from me. It’s great to know that
there are those who are there to help my military brothers and sisters and I out in tough situations. It feels
like you and your team pulled off a non lethal, but effective “airstrike” against advancing stressful forces.
Again thank you for your assistance, this has removed a significant amount of stress from an already very
stressful situation.” (Assisted with utilities)
“I want to thank you for helping me with my rent and electric bills. This does take a load off of my mind,
and now I can go and get the help I need for myself. Thank you, again.” (Assisted with rent and utilities)
“Thank you so much. I most definitely appreciate it. You don’t know the extent of the help it does for me.
I’ll be forever in your debt. Thanks again to you and the council.” (Assisted with utilities)
“It’s a big help. I really appreciate everything you have done for me and my kids. I will never forget the
help you gave.” (Assisted with rent and utilities)
“(My) car is running and sounding better and I feel safer. Thank you very much for the help.”
(Assisted with car repairs)
“Thank you is not enough to say how grateful I am for all the help and new hope all of you have given me.
All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers, thank you again.” (Assisted with rent and utilities)
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I appreciate the gratitude during this trying time. I will make every
effort to self sustainment.” (Assisted with car repairs, rent and utilities)
“The VEF helped me and kept me afloat when there was no other place for help. I am very grateful for
their assistance and alleviating at least some of my financial burden and stress. Thank you!!!!”
(Assisted with rent)
“I sincerely appreciate the help and it will help to get us on track. Again thank you from the bottom of our
hearts. We would very much like to donate to the cause when we are back on our feet.”
(Assisted with utilities and mortgage)
“Thank you so much for your help. We have everything put together and situated and it looks like a home
now. We really appreciate all you’ve done. Again, thank you.” (Assisted with furniture)
“My family and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the help you recently gave us. It
shows that when things seem helpless you can still have hope. Thanks again.”
(Assisted with rent and utilities)
“You helped me get back on my feet after I suffered a tragic accident. I was able to get an apartment to
not be homeless anymore, and am now able to see my two young children again who need to see their
father. I am very grateful for the help financially and thanks again for all the help you do for local veterans
and myself.” (Assisted with rent and utilities)
FVVC Annual Report 2013 | Page 5
PARTNERS
LEAVEN
COTS
HUD/VASH
Community Benefit Tree
United Way 211
Outagamie County Veteran Service Office
Appleton Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
DONORS
American National Bank Fox Cities
United Way
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Wisconsin Honors
Larsen Winchester Lions Club
Tedd P. Young (Nenning Insurance Agency)
Appleton Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 257
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System
Franklin Elementary School
Appleton North High School
Jack’s Maintenance Service, Inc.
Carl and Helen Kratzer Family Fund
Joseph and Frances Bachman Family Fund
American Legion Post 258
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 60, Kimberly
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 351
Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 18
Appleton Area Vietnam Veterans of America
Nick’s Ride to Remember
Larry and Sharon Mueller
Helen Kratzer
Sharon Mueller (ThedaCare)
Pam Wilda (Thrivent)
Jerry and Diane Lang
Myron and Audrey Renier
Thank
You!
Jacqueline Hays
Thomas VanLieshout
Paul and Carol Kluge
Kenneth and Gail Demerath
Bryan and Dorothy Hollenbach
Brian Casey
Carol Stepanski
Rich Moyle
Jacob and Joyce Paltzer
Gary and Mary Jo Rasmussen
Howard and Carole Pleuss
Virgil and Betty Koester
Curtis and Mary Spicer
Donald and Paula Sipe
Dale O’ Connell
Leon Meidam
Jean Swetlik
William and Linda VandenElzen
Rita McComber
Dinah Cousar
Elsie Patterson
Jim and Gaynette Brooks
James Francart
Betty Bessette
Col. Adrian Ste. Marie
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE FOLLOWING:
Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc.
410 W. Franklin St., #1275
Appleton, WI 54912
www.foxvalleyveteranscouncil.org
100% of your gift goes
directly to helping veterans
in the Fox Valley area.
FVVC Annual Report 2013 | Page 6
Larry and Sharon Mueller (family) presented the Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc. with a $11,160
check to the Veterans Emergency Fund from their fundraising event, Nick’s Ride to Remember, in
front of the Outagamie County Veterans Memorial in the old courthouse.
VETERAN OF THE YEAR
Through a nomination process, Veteran of the Year 2013
was voted on by the FVVC members and awarded to two
members, Jacob Paltzer and Eugene Hardell.
Jacob and Eugene have demonstrated outstanding
dedication to veterans and their families through support
and service in the Fox Valley area.
Congratulations, Jacob and Eugene, and
thank you for all that you do for veterans!
Top picture: Jacob Paltzer and Jim Strong
Bottom picture: Eugene Hardell and Jim
Strong
FVVC Annual Report 2013 | Page 7
Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc.
410 W. Franklin St., #1275
Appleton, WI 54912
www.foxvalleyveteranscouncil.org