–The North Central Iowa Chapter of Moving Veterans Forward is kicking off a fundraising campaign to build a new storage facility in Algona. Retired Algona Police Officer John Emswiler helped to launch the organization in the Omaha area over a decade ago with Ron Hernandez and started the North Central Iowa chapter after moving to Kossuth County. Emswiler says he’s been approached by the Tietz Foundation with regards to replacing his current storage facility on the south side of the fairgrounds.
Moving Veterans Forward assists disabled vets who are transitioning back to civilian life by providing things like beds, furniture, dishes, and any other items they may need to settle into a new home. Emswiler, who is a disabled veteran himself, says they are in the early stages of this fundraising effort.
Emswiler made his comments while speaking to members of the Pharmacists Mutual Employee Foundation this week, who presented him with a $1,000 contribution to get things started. He plans on speaking to organizations across the state to assist with the fundraising effort, having assisted veterans from all over the Iowa out of the Algona location. Emswiler estimates Moving Veterans Forward has fully furnished residences for over 2,000 veterans in Iowa and Nebraska since 2010. For more information, you can contact Emswiler at 712-269-9700, check out Moving Veterans Forward North Central Iowa on Facebook or email [email protected].
