Relay sprints past fund-raising goal
Kylie Saari — Staff WriterArticle Photos
GUCKEEN - Eleven and a half hours. That's how long it took Joe McAleavy with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to walk the 30 miles from county line to county line in Martin County during Saturday's "Countywide Support Our Troops Relay."
The trek started in Sherburn and ended in Guckeen with a rally and meal at the Derby Inn just as the rain clouds let loose.
The rain did not dampen the spirits of this group, however.
Hundreds of supporters turned out during the day, either to walk a three-mile leg of the relay, collect donations at one of the 10 stations located throughout the county, or simply to cheer on the cause. Many walkers completed more than one leg of the journey.
The organizers had hoped to raise $10,000 for two organizations - Operation Uplink and Unmet Needs. Unmet Needs awards grants to military families with critical needs. Operation Uplink is a program that provides military personnel and hospitalized veterans with free phone cards.
According to the initial fund count, McAleavy, commander of the VFW's 2nd district, underestimated the amount of support the community gives to the troops. The relay raised more than $17,000.
"I am so amazed and surprised at the support," he said.
The support was so widespread, in fact, that many donations came in from people just stopping at the relay stations to find out what the fuss was all about.
"I had a gal drive by who stopped to ask what was going on," said Lauren Tesdahl. "When I told her, she got out of her car, walked over, and handed me a check for $100. Then she got in her car and drove off."
Many other men and women helping at the stations had similar stories of people just walking or driving by the check points and asking how they could help.
"I had one guy stop and ask what we were doing. I explained it all and he came over and handed me two $50 bills," recalled one woman.
It took McAleavy just one month to organize the relay. The idea came to him after challenging other VFW posts to raise money "to promote patriotism and support our troops" at a VFW convention in Moorhead.
"I just called our supporters and ran with it," he said.
McAleavy was overwhelmed by how quickly the idea spread and the amount of support offered by the community.
"I am speechless right now," said McAleavy.
