All Proceeds Stay in Iowa to Benefit Veterans through the American Legion of Iowa
November 12 – Altoona, IA. In honor of Veterans Day, Prairie Meadows hosted the sixth annual Vets of Valor Radiothon on Monday, November 11. Prairie Meadows in partnership with 93.3 KIOA and First Class Community Credit Union raised $34,594 during the 12-hour event to help Iowa veterans through The American Legion of Iowa. Over the past six years, this event has raised $395,893.
All proceeds of the radiothon will stay in Iowa and provide assistance for veterans and their families. Veterans can call upon The American Legion of Iowa to help pay for basic needs such as food, rent, mortgage payments, utilities, educational expenses, and medical care when there are no other resources available to provide the required assistance.
“We’re very sensitive and committed to the care of these brave men and women who have served,” said Prairie Meadows CEO Gary Palmer. “It’s important to realize how challenging it is for veterans to come home and readjust to civilian life. They often suffer emotionally, physically, and financially. Vets of Valor is our way of not only recognizing their sacrifices, but to also assist them in their day-to-day lives.”
Prairie Meadows has made giving back to veterans an important part of its purpose. In addition to Vets of Valor, Prairie Meadows also sponsors the Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere (G.I.V.E.) program, a not-for-profit organization that provides a golf instructional program for eligible injured or disabled Iowa-based veterans who use the Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux Falls VA Health Care Systems.
“Not only was I veteran, my dad and my brother served, too,” Palmer said. “We also employ several vets. Prairie Meadows believes in supporting the livelihoods and health of people who have served our country. It matters and they matter.”
The radiothon ran from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. in the Prairie Meadows lobby. 93.3 KIOA’s radio hosts were on air at Prairie Meadows throughout the 12-hour event while volunteers from First Class Community Credit Union staffed the phones. Prairie Meadows matched donations received during the 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. hours. In total, Prairie Meadows donated $10,000.
American Legion Adjutant John Derner is grateful for the support of the community and stresses that the money raised during Vets of Valor each year is vitally important to Iowa veterans.
“I would like to thank the Des Moines Radio Group — in particular KIOA 93.3 — as well as Prairie Meadows and First Class Community Credit Union for being the title sponsors of this event,” he said. “The money we take in during this program helps a lot of veterans who have nowhere else to turn.
These contributions give them hope and help them get their lives back on track. We want to thank not only the sponsors, but the generous KIOA listeners who contribute to this each and every year. It means so much to our Iowa veterans.”
About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes, grants, and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given $1.8 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers nearly 1,700 slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.