VFW Post 5352 is preparing for an event this weekend that will raise money for Operation Patriots FOB, an organization that provides unique experiences for veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families.
Cheryl O’Brien, an auxiliary member of the local VFW post, spoke to Scope News about the second annual Family Freedom Festival, which will be held Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 618 Edgewood Street.
Among the notable activities throughout the day will be a “smoke-off” competition hosted by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association with food available for sale at noon. Other food options include hot dogs for kids, a selection of snack vendors, and a bake sale.
A cornhole tournament will begin at 11:00 a.m., with registration scheduled for one hour earlier.
Local organizations including the fire and police departments will be represented at the festival and a number of attractions, including a dunk tank, will be set up at the site.
“We’re going to have a children’s corner for them to do some color pages and artwork, and they get to display that,” O’Brien added. “We’re going to have prize drawings and kind of the gamut — a little bit of everything for everybody.”
At the inaugural festival last year, the VFW raised about $4,000 for the Saving Grace K9s, a program that provides service animals to veterans.
This year, O’Brien said the goal is to exceed that amount to benefit Operation Patriots FOB.
Describing the mission of that organization, she said: “It’s about a 200-acre-plus sanctuary for veterans and first responders to go and have some downtime. They provide all kinds of outdoor activities and sports.”
The local post anticipates being able to send about 12 individuals to such a retreat as a result of Saturday’s event.
“We just feel that it’s important for them to be able to just really have some downtime and just enjoy life and have some camaraderie and get away from everything else,” O’Brien added.Admission to the Family Freedom Festival is free.
Click here for more information about this event.
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