Photo by Hannah Wingert
They’ve been popping up in yards and outside of local businesses around Preston. The white signs with blue and red lettering declaring “Proud to live in a veteran friendly community” are becoming more popular and they aren’t just for residents of Preston. Preston Area Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Director, and EDA Director Gabby Kinneberg noted that the signs were designed specifically not to have “Preston” written on them because the Chamber wanted them to be available and applicable to members of neighboring communities as well. “We just feel strongly about the mission,” she explained. “It benefits all veterans.”
Chamber member Ilene Edwards recently came up with the idea to create the “Veteran Friendly Community” signs for a Chamber fundraiser. When she proposed it, the rest of the chamber loved the idea and were 100% on board. Kelly Printing and Signs was commissioned to design and create the signs. Two hundred signs were made and as of August 13, about 50 of them had already been sold, with sales picking up as more people become aware of their availability. The signs were propitiously ready for sale just in time for the groundbreaking ceremony for the veteran’s home that took place on August 11. The proceeds from the sale of the signs will go to the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce. There are no definite plans for the funds yet, but Kinneberg said that the Chamber has some ideas for community projects or events related to the veteran’s home that is to be built in Preston, such as the luncheon it put on with The Club – Bar and Veteran’s Organization to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the veteran’s home.
The “Veteran Friendly Community” signs are getting some attention, not just from locals, but also from visitors to the Preston area. Kinneberg has overheard tourists talking about the signs and even mentioning the high number of flags in Preston as well. “We’ve always been the Trout Fishing Capital of Minnesota,” she explained. “Why not take the veteran friendly part and make it a part of what Preston is as well?” Preston sees many visitors coming to town to see the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery or stop in at The Club. The Chamber’s website has a page dedicated to Preston’s status as a Veteran Friendly Community with links to information and services for veterans, the veterans’ cemetery, the upcoming veterans’ home, a list of local businesses that offer veteran and military discounts, and more.
The Veteran Friendly Community campaign was first started over five years ago when the veteran’s home project was first proposed. “We wanted to be a community that supports veterans and has veterans living here,” Kinneberg said about the Chamber’s efforts. A logo and brand was created and the campaign took off. Currently, a sign designating Preston as a Veteran Friendly Community hangs on the wall of Preston Service Plus facing Highway 52 so visitors and those driving through Preston can see it. In the future, the Chamber would like to put more permanent road signs up at the entrances to Preston.
This isn’t the first project that the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce has created in order to brand Preston a veteran friendly community. Three years ago, they started the community flag project in which businesses and residents of Preston can rent an American flag to be put up on their property for five flag holidays: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Patriot Day. So far, that project has raised almost $10,000 which is being saved to restore the Army tank at the Preston Trailhead.
In participation with the nationwide Green Light a Vet campaign, the Preston Chamber also worked with Napa Auto Parts in Preston to promote the green light project in the area. Napa stocked the green lightbulbs for people to purchase and place in a visible location at their home or business to show recognition and support for veterans. The funds raised from that project went to The Club – Bar and Veterans’ Organization in Preston.
The Chamber works with The Club on many of their veteran themed projects. “They’ve been a good partner,” Kinneberg said. “They’re super supportive. We want to make sure they stay an organization in our city.”
The Veteran Friendly Community signs are available for $20 each at Preston City Hall and Preston Floral and Gift.
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