FOND DU LAC, Wis. — The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 75 is organizing its first ever “Freezing for a Reason” event to benefit homeless veterans in Wisconsin.
On Feb. 10, veterans, advocates and supporters will sleep outside Squadron 75 on Fond Du Lac Avenue. They have been busy setting up tents and cardboard boxes in the snow.
“For one weekend we will be out here, but this is a 365-day lifestyle for too many people in our country,” said Shawn McCrary, a U.S. Navy veteran, and the commander of Squadron 75. “We really want to emulate what it’s like to have to spend a night in conditions like this.”
Army veteran Mark Nesbitt, who’s helping to plan the event, said one weekend of discomfort is the least they can do for the veterans with nowhere to go in the cold.
“This is a way that we can help them,” said Nesbitt. “We can’t pay everything, but at least we can give them help that they need.”
The “Freezing for a Reason” event includes a variety of ways the public can pitch in. On Feb. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. there is a spaghetti dinner at Squadron 75 for $10 per person. There will also be a raffle and 50/50 drawing. Then, from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 11, Squadron 75 is offering a pancake breakfast for $7/person.
The group is also accepting donations. Their goal is to raise $20,000. Beyond money, they also want to shed light on the need for more resources to help homeless veterans.
“That is what is so hard to wrap my head around sometimes is even though I am setting this up, and I get to take it down in a weekend, this is someone’s reality every day,” McCrary said as he set up the tents and cardboard boxes.
For more information on how to participate or donate to the event, reach out to the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 75 on Facebook.