NEILLSVILLE, WI (WSAU) — The Highground Veteran’s Memorial Park in Neillsville is kicking off a $4 million fundraising campaign for improvements to their facilities.
Chris Pettis, Executive Director for the park, says the focus of the campaign is to improve services while also raising awareness about the facility.
“A lot of people don’t even know we exist,” said Pettis. “We’re not like every other park, we are very unique.”
Among the items on their wish list for improvements include added indoor event space which will make hosting events easier. Currently, all events have to be held outdoors meaning they either have to have a rain date ready or cancel events on short notice if unexpected storms pop up.
That added indoor space would also give them more room to display items that have been donated to the Highground. “[We have] a lot of military memorabilia. Veterans have donated their stories, uniforms, pictures from their service. We also collect information and set up our own exhibits.”
That includes displays on specific conflicts and topics like women in the military and the history of service dogs.
Pettis says added indoor space will also allow them to expand services offered to Veterans and their families such as PTSD counseling for both individuals and families who may be suffering from post-war trauma.
“Our plan is to host not only Veteran’s retreats but family Veteran’s retreats for those suffering from post-war trauma or post-traumatic stress. It’s not just the service member that’s dealing with that, it’s also the family members,” he said.
Expanded and safer parking and improved ADA compliance are also on the docket.
The fundraising campaign will kick off with an event in Osseo on Thursday, April 8th. Additionally, the park will be accepting private donations and reaching out to former donors for support.
For more information about the park and the campaign, click here.
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