Department of Iowa raises $112,000 for veterans

Phone lines were ringing nonstop at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino on Veterans Day in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowans were calling to donate to The American Legion Department of Iowa and 93.3 KIOA’s third annual Vets of Valor radiothon, a program that helps the department meet the financial needs of local veterans and their families.

"Our Vets of Valor 12-hour radiothon is about telling these stories (from veterans on how the Legion helped them) and asking our listeners to give back – to stand up for Iowa veterans in their time of need," said Tim White, brand manager for KIOA. "The message works."

Between the Nov. 11 radiothon, and a golf tournament and car cruise held earlier in the summer, more than $112,317 was raised for the Department of Iowa’s Vets of Valor program, surpassing the past two years’ combined total of nearly $80,000.

"What it says more than anything is that Iowa values its veterans, and they are going to do what it takes to take care of them. That’s something we see all year long," said Department of Iowa Adjutant John Derner. "This is just another example of Iowans stepping forward to take care of those who have served them."

Donations from the Vets of Valor program support veterans who don’t quality for American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance or National Emergency Fund grants, or who need more funding to cover expenses than what those grants provide. For example, Vets of Valor funds ensure veterans don’t lose their home to foreclosure while waiting on VA benefits, or have enough money to pay for rent, groceries or an electric bill.

The success of the Vets of Valor radiothon is a result of a relationship built over many years between the Department of Iowa and 93.3 KIOA, along with Vets of Valor sponsors First Class Community Credit Union and Prairie Meadows.

First Class Community Credit Union staff manned the phone lines, Prairie Meadows hosted the radiothon as well as provided veterans with a free breakfast and made significant monetary contributions, and KIOA handled all logistics such as DJ support, producers, promotional efforts and more.

Derner said that the Department of Iowa’s relationship with KIOA didn’t happen overnight; it’s been ongoing development for nearly 10 years.

The relationship between KIOA and the department started when the radio station contacted them about needing a color guard at a patriotic event. The relationship evolved to include Legionnaires providing quotes on news stories involving veterans and detailed information about patriotic holidays, and then on-air discussions about Legion programs.

"As (KIOA) got to learn more about what The American Legion does, what we stand for and our accomplishments over the years, they found more and more that they wanted to be a part of that and wanted to find ways to get our message out for us and find ways to help us accomplish that mission," Derner said. "In the end it boils down to they believed in what we’re doing, and they want to help us accomplish it."

"93.3 KIOA is very proud of our relationship with The American Legion of Iowa; and it goes far beyond fundraising," White said. "In the last three years we’ve been able to use our statewide reach to inform Iowa veterans about the services available to them through The American Legion.

"The importance cannot be understated. We want everyone to know that were dedicated to doing our part for Iowa veterans and their families."