Photo by Jason Sethre
Did you know that an average of 22 veterans commit suicide daily in the U.S.? That’s a shocking number of veterans who faithfully served our country, isn’t it? Well, Flo Litwinczuk thought so too when she learned the statistic and she and some friends decided they needed to do something about it. For 25 years Flo and her friends had been doing benefits and fundraising for individuals; they created the Prevent 22 Task Force to help veterans and their families to cope with suicide.
The Prevent 22 Task Force, so named for the 22 veterans that commit suicide daily, includes members of the Preston American Legion. VFW, VFW Auxiliary, and the Sons of Liberty, both military and members connected to the military through marriage.
Members of the Prevent 22 Task Force were concerned that there was nothing in place to help vets deal with their issues. Minnesota, in fact, ranks 50th in the U.S. for mental health resources. They knew that not only were the vets affected by suicide, but also that it had a trickle-down effect on their families.
The task force was created with the goal to bring awareness and support non-profit quality mental health facilities in Minnesota. One of the facilities it supports is the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, MN. This facility is non-profit; it is run on donations with no state or federal funding. Mel Butler, the director, created the facility based on her experiences with her sons who were in the service. It’s located on the site of a former girls’ reformatory and can house up to 100 veterans and their families for as long as the vets need to stay.
The Prevent 22 Task Force held a fundraising event at the Preston Servicemen’s Club in 2022. They put together a three hour event in just a few weeks – a silent auction, meal and cash donations brought in a total of $10,800.
In 2023, the task force once again held a fundraiser in June with a bake sale, silent auction, Bloody Mary bar, and motorcycle and car ride as well as selling t-shirts and can koozies; they raised $18,000. Additionally, they raised $16,000 in a raffle. One of their members vacationed at Slim’s Resort in Baudette, Minn.; the resort donated a fishing cabin cabin package to the raffle. The American Legion Riders Post 91 of Austin, Minn. sold half of the raffle tickets; the riders have their own organization called Prevent 22. Slim’s Resort has promised to donate every year as long as the task force does the fundraiser.
When the task force looked for a place locally to donate funds, they spoke to Fillmore County’s Wanda Berg, Christina Bothun, and Diane Berg to help create a specific fund to help veterans in Fillmore County. They needed to get approval from the Department of Human Services and a letter from the Fillmore County Commissioners accepting the donation and stating the guidelines and purpose of it.
The newly created fund was named Veterans in Need Fund (VIN) Fund. In an Acceptance Ceremony on September 26, Fillmore County Community Services gratefully accepted a $10,000 donation for the VIN Fund from the Prevent 22 Task Force to help Fillmore County Veterans.
A committee consisting of Diane Olson, Wanda Berg, Christy Bakken, Denise Zwart and Jason Marquardt administers the grant fund. A new chart of accounts tracks the grant to ensure the proper use of the fund.
In order to access help, veterans can contact Jason Marquardt, the Veterans’ Service Officer at the Vets’ Office of Fillmore County; his job is to assist veterans and act as their advocate. Marquardt will then verify that they are veterans and go through all the available programs to obtain the maximum support for the veteran. He uses the veteran’s application for state benefits for needed information – no further paperwork is necessary.
Marquardt reaches out to veterans through the auxiliaries, VFWs and Legions to make sure they are receiving benefits. If he hears of a veteran in need, he contacts them. When the PACT Act was passed, Marquardt sent a letter to every single Vietnam vet in the county. The PACT Act added hypertension to the covered illnesses; any person exposed to Agent Orange was eligible for help with medical bills for hypertension.
The veterans who will be living in the veterans home will not be receiving any of the VIN Fund; they receive benefits from another source. The VIN Fund is intended solely for other veterans living across Fillmore County.
The VIN Fund adds yet another layer of protection for the vets. This fund is quite flexible as long as they stay in the guidelines established. Program Director Wanda Berg succinctly summed it up saying, “We’d just really like the veterans to get what help they need.”
Gabby Kinneberg and Flo Litwinczuk from the Prevent 22 Task Force are sending out letters to other Legions and VFWs in the county to ask for their support. Gambling money can be donated to the VIN Fund. Eventually, letters will be sent out to other organizations such as churches and service clubs. Jason Marquardt noted that the easiest way to support the fund is to donate to the Prevent 22 Task Force.
On October 29 at the Preston Servicemen’s Club, a VIN Fund Kickoff was held during the Packer-Viking game. Bloody Marys and pork sandwiches were available. Free admission gave participants the chance to win meat bundles every quarter of the game with prizes throughout and a grand prize at the end of the game. Next year’s Prevent 22 Task Force’s main fundraising event will be held June 22.
According to Litwinczuk, Prevent 22 Task Force’s big message is, “We want to bring together both veterans and non-veterans with a shared purpose of community, team, and commitment for PTSD and suicide prevention and awareness.”
If people in other counties want to also create a similar task force, the Prevent 22 Task Force is willing to help them get started.
Veterans can reach out to Jason Marquardt for help by calling the Veteran’s Office at (507) 765-4937; vso@co.fillmore.mn.us is his email contact address.
Leave a Reply