Members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 746 (from left) William Whitelow, Dave Cunningham, John Cunningham, Garry Groves and Jim Thacker presented a $1,500 donation toward the construction of a new hog barn on the Madison County Fairgrounds. The Madison County commissioners—Paul Gross, David Dhume and Mark Forrest—accepted the donation on behalf of the Junior Fair Livestock Sale Committee.
(Posted Jan. 7, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Once again, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 746 is lending their support to improvements at the Madison County Fairgrounds.
On Jan. 5, members made a $1,500 donation toward the construction of a new hog barn, the latest project spearheaded by the Junior Fair Livestock Sale Committee. The barn is scheduled for completion by this year’s county fair, set for July 12-18.
Last year, the VVA donated $1,000 toward the construction of the Eby Youth Arena and Coughlin Community Center.
The veterans group decided to support fairgrounds projects because many of their members’ families have been involved in fair activities for generations.
“So many of us showed there and our kids showed and now our grandkids are showing,” said VVA member Dave Cunningham.
The VVA presented their latest donation to the Madison County commissioners, who will match the $1,500 donation two-to-one with county funds, making it a $4,500 total donation. The funds will be forwarded to the Junior Fair Livestock Sale Committee.
Darrell Champer, former sale committee president and current Senior Fair Board president, thanked the VVA, saying, “We very much appreciate your interest in the fairgrounds.”
County Commissioner Paul Gross described the donation as “overwhelming and really nice.”
Of the work that’s gone into the fairgrounds over the past year, Gross added, “It warms my heart to see what collaboration does for this community.”
To donate to the hog barn project, send checks to “MCJFSC Building Fund,” c/o Merchants Bank, P.O. Box 650, London, OH 43140. For more information, contact Doug Peterman at (614) 206-5553 or Joe Henry at (740) 506-1774.
