The Eatonton Veterans Thrift Store hosted a check presentation ceremony for the Middle Georgia Honor Flight and Honor Flight of Conyers on Thursday evening at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton, followed by an information session on how to get involved with the honor flights.
Led by VFW Thrift Store manager and Putnam County Veterans Wall of Honor President Nikki Barker, the event began at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and fruit-and-cheese platters. Veterans, store employees, volunteers, board members, and members of the public attended.
Prior to the check presentations, Barker shared general information with attendees about the thrift store and other services the local VFW offers, including recycling textiles, books, ceramics, wiring, Christmas lights, scrap metal, and American flags.
Ten charities that work with the VFW Thrift Store were highlighted, along with a description of the services they provide. Barker said the Thrift Store has previously donated to each of the cited charities and, since opening in 2021, has provided more than $175,000 in total donations.
A short film provided by MGHF followed, depicting the history of Honor Flights, and capturing the emotions and experiences of veterans who previously participated in flights to Washington, D.C. to visit The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, as well as memorials to Marines and Air Force, World War II, Korean, and other military veterans.
Barker later made check presentations to MGHF and HFC representatives, with $15,000 going to support Mission No. 27 for MGHF on May 17, and $25,000 presented to HFC for Honor Flight No. 28 in September, which will be a larger flight. These monies were raised through the Eatonton Veterans Thrift Store.
Each participating veteran is assigned a volunteer guardian who travels and stays by their side throughout the day. Guardians do not have to be family members, but they must be between 18 and 70 years old and have sufficient strength and mobility to help a veteran travel and visit comfortably.
Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Barker at the VFW Thrift Store to apply to participate as a guardian. There is no cost to veterans for Honor Flights; however, guardians are assessed fees to cover training and flight expenses.