By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Fort Hays Disabled Veterans are hosting a concert Friday and the DAV Vintage Bike Show on Saturday to raise money for a new van to transport veterans to medical appointments in Hays and Wichita.
The DAV’s current van has excessive miles and needs to be replaced. It runs three days a week across northwest Kansas to Hays CBOC VA medical facility and two days a weeks takes veterans from Hays to the Bob Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita. The service offers free rides to personnel from all branches of the armed services.
On trips to Wichita, the van also picks up veterans in communities in between such as Great Bend and McPherson until the van is full, said Galen Jamison, Hays DAV commander. He said the van is the only way some disabled veterans have of getting to their appointments.
“We have veterans from WWII, Korean and Vietnam,” Jamison said. “Some have no legs and some can’t see. This is a service to help all veterans.”
The Hays DAV needs to raise $15,000, and then the national DAV will make sure the van is replaced.
Some donations have already been made, but the events this weekend will be the first real push to raise the funds for the van.
Anthony and the Animals will open for Jimmy Dee and the Fabulous Destinations on Friday night at the Hays VFW, 2106 Vine. Cost is $10 per person. Music will be from 8 to 11 p.m.
The Vintage Bike Show and Swap meet will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the National Guard Armory, 200 S. Main. Both events are open to the public. Entry to bike show is $10 per person.
Any motorcycle made before 1984 is eligible for the show. Entry cost for the first bike is $25. Each addition entry is $20.
Awards will be given in American and foreign categories as well as People’s Choice and Best in Show.
Cost for vendors is $10 each.
Weaver’s BBQ will be serving food. Proceeds will go to the DAV van fundraiser. The Free Tomorrow Motorcycle Club will run a beer garden and a portion of those proceeds will also go to the van fundraiser.
You can register for the bike show or donate directly to the DAV through its PayPal account at www.forthaysdavbikeshow.com.