NILES — Just across the street from Rural King and down a gravel drive is the local Amvets building at 1117 E. Bertrand St.

Hidden from bustling traffic on S. 11th Street, the building’s location is not the only thing that has kept Amvets largely out of the public eye. The nonprofit’s newest leaders also said a lack of community participation has hindered spreading awareness about the organization — but all that is about to change.

In addition to improving things like signage – Kari Witte, of Niles, the newly hired commander, and Jackie Lolmaugh, of Niles, the recently hired Auxiliary president, intend to find a host of new ways to get Amvets involved in their community, with the hopes that it will also help to increase the number of veterans involved.

Amvets is a nonprofit that is open to any American veteran. The organization seeks to be a support network and place for veterans and their families to gather. Here, veterans can get help having access to household and medical supplies, as well as the fellowship of other veterans. The organization is also a parent to the Auxiliary and Sons of the Amvets.

Under their leadership, Witte and Lolmaugh have many goals, including drawing in more members, increasing communication between veterans and the Veterans Association, forming more community partners and also finding ways to provide more support to veterans’ families.

“Yes, veterans are our goal,” Witte said. “We are a veteran organization, but it’s also providing services to our community and our families and our local businesses, just the community as a whole.”

Another important goal is getting out in the community and serving, Witte said.

Already, Amvets has a variety of events on the schedule that are open to the community, including a Big Steak Fry on Sept. 15 and taking part in community traditions, like the annual Apple Festival. In November, Witte said she plans to host an inaugural Thanksgiving dinner for local veterans.

“So many of our Korean War veterans and our Vietnam veterans have either lost their spouse or have limited or no family in the area,” Witte said. “I just feel like why not come and join our family for dinner? That should be a service we provide for free.”

At the entrance to the Amvets door, there’s a table neatly stacked with backpacks and school supplies – proof of the latest endeavor to also get more involved in the giving back to the community. The drive is only one way the organization intends to give back to the community, Witte said.

With more involvement in the community, Witte said the organization hopes to double their membership, which has stagnated at about 150 people. Community awareness will be key to drawing in more veterans she said.

“Almost on a weekly basis, we have been doing functions and fundraisers,” Witte said. 

This effort has already garnered fundraising dollars, raising about $7,000 since May for local veterans.

Witte served in the Navy between 2003 and 2011, as a hospital corpsman and nurse. Witte said the background influenced her to want to work for Amvets.

“After I came home from my last deployment and finished my tour, I still wanted to continue to give back to the veterans, but be home with my child,” Witte said.

For Lolmaugh’s part, she said she intends to get more women and young veterans involved in Amvets.

Additionally, Lolmaugh said finding new ways to engage youth will also be an important part of her leadership. First, Lolmaugh said she wants to reach out to local schools and take the opportunity to teach children about the meaning of the American flag and how to properly display a flag and assure that it never touches the ground.

Both said they want people to be aware that anyone can get involved in Amvets as a volunteer and that there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

“Most people, somebody in their family is a veteran and so you can be involved and join our organization and help with this cause and help us to grow and support our members,” Witte said.

Those interested in volunteering or getting involve in Amvets can call the office at (269) 683-8558.

 

Upcoming events at Amvets:

• 5 p.m.  Sept. 1 —  Tailgate Party, 1117 E. Bertrand St.

• 5 p.m. Sept. 15 — Big Steak Fry, 1117 E. Bertrand St.

• 8 a.m. Sept. 22 — Golf Outing, Spruce Ridge in Dowagiac

• Sept. 29 and 30 — Apple Festival Breakfast