18-03-2025
Fundraiser helps Honor Flight reach milestone
JOPLIN, Mo. — A fundraiser for local veterans reaches a major milestone in Joplin this morning.
Easterseals Midwest presented a check for nearly $1,900 to three members of the Webb City Elk's Lodge who are raising money for 'Honor Flight of the Ozarks.'
Easterseals teaches adults with disabilities the skills they need to live independently and become community leaders.
Adults at Easterseals spent one week collecting donations at Walmart, an energetic fundraiser that involved lots of cheering, line dances, and music.
They chose to donate the money to Honor Flight because of their close relationship with the Elks.
'Giving back to our veterans is meaningful for them, and it gives them a sense of purpose. It shows that you know, by giving back they feel a sense of belonging, and it's just a great responsibility that we all have to give back to our community,' said Tracy Taylor, Easterseals Midwest manager of autism services.
'We were surprised by the folks at Easterseals, of their work collecting funds, and today with their over $1,800 they contributed put us over the $50,000 mark. So congratulations to them,' said Jonathon Dawson, raising money for Honor Flight of the Ozarks.
'Steven, Jonathon, and David are pillars of our community, and we were excited to be a part of this process. Plus they're great role models for those we support in community leadership and giving back,' said Tracy Taylor, Easterseals Midwest manager of autism services.
Dawson, Steven Taylor, and David Pyle will hike the 26.2-mile Bataan Memorial Death March through White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, a journey they also made last year.
We talked to them about their mission to raise money for Honor Flight on Friday.
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