FeedsFundraiser aids wounded veteran from area
Volunteers throughout Wayne County will come together on Tuesday night in Plymouth to help at least one area veteran receive medical attention.
When U.S. Army Sgt. Chris Killion of Dearborn Heights returned home after serving in Iraq, it was with serious shrapnel wounds and damage to his knee from a December 2004 grenade attack. Although veterans hospital personnel did what they could to help him, the problems were complex and never quite ended.
According to Jenny Taylor, one of the organizers of the benefit, Killion’s friends and family began to encourage him to seek corrective surgery on his own and offered to raise the money needed to offset the costs. He agreed—as long as he wasn’t the only soldier to benefit from their efforts.
The result is the Wounded Veteran Benefit, which will take place from 8 p.m. until midnight on Tuesday at the Piano, Martini, and Cigar Bar located at 336 Main St. in Plymouth. Karen Newman and Steve Acho will provide live music. There is no cover charge for the event, but participants are asked to donate whatever they can spare to help defray the costs of the surgery and follow-up care. Any money not needed for the medical care will be donated to Veteran’s Haven, a registered nonprofit organization based in Wayne, so that it can be used to assist other veterans.
There should be plenty of veterans who benefit, too, if Vickkie Paterra, general manager of 336 Main has her prediction come true.
“I think that people here in Plymouth really step up to the plate when someone needs help,” she said. “There are a lot of people who will be willing to give a helping hand to our soldiers.”
With the surgery scheduled for next week, some help is already on the horizon. Veteran’s Haven has partnered with Taylor and her companions to set up an account that can provide tax receipts for donations and have made plans to help, Taylor said.
“The hospital wanted a down payment for the surgery,” she said. “ Veteran’s Haven donated the money—$2,250. They’ve been awesome.”
Vince Berna, president and founder of Veteran’s Haven, downplayed the organization’s role, however, noting that they earned money specifically designated to help American veterans who have fought in Iraq or Afghanistan at a dinner/dance last year.
“We’ve got the money in this fund and I can’t think of a better way to use it,” he said. “We are vets helping vets.”
For more information about the benefit, visit www.vethaveninfo.org or contact Taylor at (313) 530-2262.
