A VFW Post in the Land of 10,000 Lakes was recognized in February as a top contributor by donating to a new community athletic field.
VFW Post 4086, located in Wabasha, Minnesota, donated $10,000 to a new athletic compound in its city. The donation gave Post 8046 the status as a “Gold Contributor” to the soon-to-be-built Wabasha Athletic Field.
“Our donation was made possible through our Minnesota Charitable Gambling program,” said Jim Mathias, Post 4086 commander. “The Post takes a great deal of pride in the Charitable Gambling program and our ability to donate to several non-profit and education programs in the Wabasha-Kellogg area.”
Leaders of Wabasha broke ground at the athletic complex in July. The project costs $2.1 million, according to a press release from the City of Wabasha. The 7.5-acre complex will include baseball and softball fields; a hockey and skating rink; and basketball, tennis and pickleball courts. The complex will be outdoors but be built to withstand the harsh weather conditions of Minnesota.
“The new athletic complex location will address flooding of the old field location and improve safety by moving pedestrians and spectators away from the traffic coming off the Interstate Highway 60 bridge,” said Mathias, a retired Navy and Persian Gulf War veteran.
Mathias said that Post 4086 in late May will participate in the dedication ceremony for the new complex.
“Wabasha is a community of approximately 2,500 residents,” Mathias said. “Together with Kellogg, seven miles to the south, with a population of 425, our Post has a history of ‘giving back’ to the Wabasha-Kellogg community. By donating to the new Wabasha Athletic Complex, we can continue our legacy of ‘giving back.’ This was an exciting donation for us as the complex will serve many future generations.”