The James Coleman Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6802 has served its community for close to 80 years, and now the community is coming together to help the post.

The vets would like to raise at least $15,000 to renovate their kitchen, a necessity at fish fry time to raise funds for the post and its community service projects. Those projects include support for veterans and local families in need, and scholarships for Richmond area students. The vets provide holiday food baskets to local families, donate to the Veterans National Home in Eaton Rapids, Mich., and to the VFW Children’s Camp Trotter, and they provide honor guard services.

The Richmond Lions Club stepped up to add to the kitchen project.

“We have donated $500 directly to the VFW last week, and requested an additional $500, along with an additional donation of $1,000 to be donated to the VFW from our project account,” Keith Rengert, Lions treasurer, said. “Without a functioning kitchen, the VFW is unable to host events and fundraisers that support their hall’s operational expenses. They are a great group and do so much for our community and veterans and we wish them well.”

There is a Go-Fund-Me page at: gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-vfw-post-6802s-kitchen?attribution_id=sl:24b53dc8-894c-4925-b315-d7407ec32697&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_t1-amp14_t2&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

The page shows nearly $1,500 has been pledged toward a goal of $25,000 for the kitchen and other needs.

A meat bingo takes place at the post 6-9 p.m. April 30, and tickets are $20 per person. There are 15 meat packages including a “1/4 cow” raffle. For more information, call 586-913-6610. Tickets are available at the VFW hall, 34339 32 Mile Road, Richmond, or at Strikers Entertainment, 30971 Armada Ridge Road, Richmond.

There is a “Richmond VFW Bowling at Striker’s” fundraiser 3-7 p.m. May 4. Contact James Carl at Strikers Entertainment at 586-727-9292 for more information.

The Richmond VFW Post 6802 hosts a euchre tournament fundraiser 6-9 p.m. May 14 at the VFW hall, 34339 32 Mile Road, Richmond. The entry fee is $20 and it includes a meal. The first-place euchre winner gets $100. Register in advance by purchasing tickets at the VFW post or at Strikers Entertainment, 30971 Armada Ridge Road, Richmond. The tournament is: single player, up to seven rounds, pick a new table each round. Proceeds go directly toward completing the kitchen renovations.

Strikers put on a fish fry fundraiser for the post 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, April 18.

Boat outing gets help from Strikers

Strikers is helping out another vet charity, Boat4Vets Lake St. Clair Chapter, with a bowling fundraiser on Saturday, April 19. Register at 1:30 p.m.; bowling begins at 2 p.m. Entry is $25 for three games of nine-pin, no-tap, two mystery games, raffles, ball and shoe rental.

Optimists raise money for student

The Optimist Club of St. Clair Shores sponsors a fundraiser for Connor Piper, a Lakeview High School senior who was severely injured on a ski trip in February. Restaurant Week is April 21-25 as St. Clair Shores businesses donate 10 percent of their sales to the fundraiser during their hours of operation. The schedule includes: April 21 Dox Grillhouse, 25225 Jefferson Ave. and Pink Elephant Cupcakes, 23301 Jefferson Ave.; April 22 Copper Penny Restaurant, 24975 Harper Ave. and Johnny Z’s Pizza, 28210 Harper Ave.; April 23 Gilbert’s Lodge, 22335 Harper Ave. and Wally’s Frozen Custard, 22501 Harper Ave.; April 24 Cottage Inn Pizza, 31339 Harper Ave., and The Ardmore, 26717 Little Mack Ave.; April 25 Bourbon Shores Bar & Grill, 32307 Harper Ave. and Firehouse Pub, 23018 Greater Mack Avenue.

Lions Clubs, vets plan busy week

Lions clubs in Macomb County have many events scheduled to support their charities and continue their support for the community.

The Mount Clemens Lions Club celebrates its 90th anniversary on April 24 at the Riverhouse Banquet Center in Mount Clemens. Contact Lois Spuytte at lspr772@yahoo.com for further information.

The Richmond Lions Club White Cane canister collection in the greater Richmond area is April 25-26. Other clubs may be out collecting donations until May 4.

In 1930, George A. Bonham, president of the Peoria Lions Club in Illinois, watched a man who was blind attempting to cross a street. The man’s cane was black and motorists couldn’t see it, so Bonham proposed painting the cane white with a red stripe to make it more noticeable.

“Street and store donations from the public are used to fund programs and services that support individuals with visual impairments, including providing access to necessary assistive technology like white canes, vision rehabilitation services, low vision aids, educational programs, and financial assistance for eye care needs, ultimately aiming to promote independence and quality of life for the visually impaired community,” Rengert of the Richmond Lions Club said. “One hundred percent of every dollar collected by Richmond Lions Club members and volunteers go toward vision services.”

Donations can be mailed to: Richmond Lions Club, P. O. Box 221, Richmond MI 48062. The club is currently giving out college scholarships to local seniors.

A Lions of Michigan Defense Against Diabetes, or D.A.D., eight-week Zoom program begins at 6 p.m. April 22. It is presented by District 11-A2 — that covers Macomb and Oakland Counties — and lifestyle coach, Carolyn Jennings. Other dates are April 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, June 3, June 10 and June 17. Contact at Roger Blackwell 810-923-2954 or rblackwell@comcast.net; or Ed Bohach at 248-863-7136 or ebohach@nkfm.org to sign up. The D.A.D. program teaches how to prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes, a major cause of blindness. It was developed for people who are pre-diabetic, or already have Type 2 Diabetes and want to learn more about how diabetes can impact their lives or the lives of loved ones.

The UAW Region 1 Veterans Council hosts a free veterans benefit class 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. April 26, and 8 a.m. to noon April 27 at UAW Local 653, at 670 E. Walton Blvd., Pontiac. Service officers will be present to start claims. Compensation, Pension Appeals Modernization Act, PACT Act, service-related injuries, survivor benefits, caregivers payments, aid and attendance, burial benefits PTSD review service available through VA hospitals. Register with Tom Brenner at 586-427-9200 or region1uawvetcouncil@gmail.com or call 586-808- 0306.

Send news of service clubs and veterans organizations to Linda May at lindamay@ameritech.net or call landline 586-791-8116.