Latest news with #RonHedrick
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum to honor veterans for Memorial Day Weekend
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – The Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum will be opening its doors the public for Memorial Day weekend. Less than a year after moving to its new location at the former State Police barracks in Beckley, the museum has brought in countless historical artifacts for display, many of which were donated by veterans locally and from around the country. Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum President, Ron Hedrick told 59News he plans to eventually open the museum on a full-time basis, and that it is his hope the facility can be about more than just recognizing veterans and can be a direct resource for the veterans themselves.'We kind of hope that the museum will be like a beacon to veterans who just need a place to hang out,' he said. 'Maybe a place to unload, come and meet other veterans, hang out, talk, and have a cup of coffee – and maybe they'll find a home.'Hedrick and museum staff will be on-hand Saturday morning for the annual memorial service at the American Legion Veterans Cemetery at 9:00 a.m., after which the museum doors will open to the community at 10:00am to 5:00pm. Guests will be able to check out museum exhibits, grab a hotdog, and maybe even take home some prizes donated by local businesses as part of a raffle to benefit the museum. Folks are also welcome to attend a candlelight service at the American Legion Veterans Cemetery on Sunday night, where the Salvation Army Brass band will be putting on a performance of patriotic numbers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As federal aid stops, local feeding program official looks to Charleston to help West Virginia veterans, families
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its plan to ax two programs which help schools and food banks support local farmers and feed people. In an email to CBS News, federal officials confirmed that USDA will slash $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks to buy food directly from local farms, ranchers and producers, part of what the agency said was a decision to 'return to long-term, fiscally responsible initiatives,' according to CBS News. The move cancels about $660 million in funding this year for the Local Food for Schools program, which is active in 40 U.S. states, as well as about $420 million for a second program called the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, which helps food banks and other local groups provide food to their communities. With the possibility of food insecurity hitting close to home, an organizer for Mountaineer Food Bank in Raleigh and Fayette counties, Ron Hedrick, said on Friday, March 14, 2025, that the onus to help falls on state lawmakers. Mountaineer Food Bank Veterans' Table program 'When the federal government drops off and cuts programs like that, maybe it's an opportunity for our state agriculture (West Virginia Department of Agriculture) to pick up and get some state grants to purchase local produce and meats and things so we can continue to get the fresh stuff locally,' said Hedrick. Hedrick said that much of the food distributed through Mountaineer Food Bank comes from local farms, through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program Plus, one of the feeding programs which federal officials had cut. Hendrick said Mountaineer Food Bank officials have notified distribution centers that federal funding will stop in May, although MFB may be able to continue paying local farmers through June or July, depending on how much funding remains available. Child dies in ATV crash in West Virginia The state reportedly has two programs in place that could help, if lawmakers make up the deficit left by federal officials. Local farmers told 59News on Thursday that they are highly concerned about the cuts. They rely on the program to support their farms. 59News reached out to Republican Delegate Elliot Pritt of Fayette County on Friday but did not receive an immediate response. Glenn Smith, a United States Marine veteran who represents Raleigh County Veterans' Museum, was present for the Mountaineer Food Bank distribution for veterans at Epling Stadium in Beckley on Friday morning. He said Mountaineer Food Bank distributes food for veterans every second Friday at the stadium. On Friday, 567 veterans showed up to get local produce, meat and other goods, along with pet food donated by local businesses. Senate bill could force voters to register with a party in order to vote in primary elections 'It's important to tell the veterans that they're not forgotten for what they did, what they sacrifice,' said Smith, noting that many Vietnam and Korean War veterans sacrificed higher education in order to enter combat. 'We've got World War II veterans here. Just saw a lieutenant colonel that flew the last mission out of Vietnam on a CH-43 Marine helicopter. Talked to him just a little while ago, so it's very important, what Mountaineer Food Bank does.' Smith said the Vietnam vet he mentioned was 82 years old. Hedrick said Mountaineer Food Bank distributes food once a month in Raleigh County and once a month in Fayette County, in addition to supplying food to the region's veterans. Beckley attorney fears Senate bill could have negative effect on mental health services for at-risk transgender youth in the state 'Obviously, it's important for those on the lower income scale, with the price of groceries and stuff, so everyone is very appreciative when they come here to get the food, and it's always a variety of everything, from canned foods to meats to cheese to breads,' said Hedrick of the local foods provided by West Virginia farmers through Mountaineer Food Bank. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
