Hooah! KCK Sam’s Club donates to group that assists veterans

Two checks, one for $10,000 and one for $5,000, were presented to HOOAH (Helping Our Own at Home), a local wounded warriors program that assists returning veterans.

Describing an example of the organization’s work, Mike Parker, with HOOAH, said the group recently worked with a Topeka veteran in his 40s who is terminally ill and has a short time to live. The man wanted to see his 12-year-old daughter in another state, and did not have the funds to bring her here, so the veterans organization stepped in to provide the funding, he said.

“This is what your donations help us do,” Parker said.

Sometimes veterans hit obstacles when they are returning to society, according to Parker. Some do not qualify for other programs because they are slightly above or below the program guidelines.

“They reach out to us, and we reach out to them,” he said.

Keith Pappert, Sam’s Club store manager, said the first check was to the Village West Rotary Club Foundation for $5,000.

That $5,000 has been designated to go to the HOOAH organization, the beneficiary of the Rotary’s Parade of Heroes event, said Glenn Harte, Rotary president.

Harte said the parade serves as the major fundraiser for the Village West Rotary Club. HOOAH was selected to be the beneficiary because it fulfills the objective of providing service above self, he said.

The second Sam’s Club check, for $10,000, will go directly to HOOAH, Pappert said.

Sam’s Club at Plaza at the Speedway gives more donations to charities than many similar stores. Pappert said the store’s associates are involved in volunteer service to charitable organizations in the community.

“This community is very, very important to us,” he said. “I want to see our community’s needs met.”

He added that Walmart recently announced a national commitment to place veterans at the top of its hiring list.

“We know the sacrifices they made and it’s important to us,” he said.