Veterans Parade hits funding speed bump

The Yamhill County Veterans Parade is pushing a last-minute fundraising effort for permit and insurance costs after a major sponsor pulled out of this November’s event.

On Aug. 19, the parade learned the American Legion Post 21 will not cover the cost for permits and insurance, according to Jennie Ludwig, a member of the organizing committee.

The group must pay permit fees to the city, about $350, by early September. When insurance and other costs are included, it needs about $2,000 to cover the entire cost of the parade, according to Heather Acker, another committee member.

Since the committee announced the changes in funding, several community organizations have helped fill the gap, Ludwig said.

“The committee is incredibly thankful for the amount of support that has come in through messages and emails. Yamhill County is showing its support for our veterans,” she said.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars have offered to take the parade under its umbrella for the purpose of allowing donations to be tax-deductible.

“We still need to fundraise the costs,” however, Ludwig told the News-Register. “With the VFW, we also get to use their Zeffy donation account. There’s a campaign there for the parade.”

To donate to the parade, visit www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/yamhill-county-veterans-parade.

Donors to the online account will receive a receipt for their taxes.

The McMinnville High School Lions Club has agreed to serve hot cocoa and cider at the post-parade gathering, committee member Heather Acker said.

The countywide parade will move west on Third Street on Saturday, Nov. 7, just prior to the Nov. 11 Veterans Day holiday. It will end at the Yamhill County Government Services Building parking lot at Fourth and Cowls, where a ceremony will take place.

Organizers are still seeking volunteers and to name a grand marshal. For more information, contact the parade organizers at veteransparade97128@gmail.com.