Central Iowa nonprofit that helps give unclaimed veterans proper sendoff will host annual fundraiser
A nonprofit that has provided a proper burial for dozens of unclaimed veterans in central Iowa is hosting its annual fundraiser next month.
Last year alone, the Final Salute buried 20 veterans and five of their spouses at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Their remains had been on the shelves of local funeral homes for decades.
On Saturday, May 10, the organization will host a night of fun and camaraderie at The Shop DSM Event Center at 901 Cherry St.
Lanae Strovers, who created the Final Salute, tells vlog it’s an opportunity to raise money and visit with so many of the people who help provide our heroes with the sendoff they deserve.
"The big part is obviously the fundraising, and it costs money to do these things right. But also, the fellowship of getting everybody together. So, to be able to have a night where you can sit and visit with the people who support what we do, hear their stories, you know why they're being a part of it," Strovers says.
This year’s ceremony will take place in early October. Right now, they’ve identified five unclaimed veterans, but volunteers still have a pool of more than 100 people to sort through.
As for next month’s fundraiser, tickets are $70. The event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. It includes a cocktail hour, catered dinner from Jethro’s BBQ, entertainment from Mike Moody and the Outlaws, and a silent auction.
For more information and to buy tickets, go to: