In the midst of ongoing construction at his furniture store, and assisting customers on a daily basis, Phil Mintz says he nearly stopped in his tracks when he heard the initial report of the Veterans Thanksgiving Dinner cancellation.
"I heard on a newscast that they were going to eliminate the Veterans Dinner, and I felt horrible", Mintz tells us.
And he knew there was a phone call to make.
"Coincidentally, I knew Connie Rose, and we were talking one day, and she told me she was in charge of putting this back together for our veterans. And so I immediately contributed all the turkeys and hams", explains Mintz.
Meanwhile, across town, Connie has been working overtime to collect donations and draw in volunteers, and a mere week later, she has some good news.
"The response has been overwhelming. We are still in need, so we don't want the community to think it's done. We'll be raising money right up to the event, but it's a go!", Rose exclaims.
Despite the work to be done, both Rose and Mintz are confident dinner will be served.
"Abilene is a great community and I know we had a hiccup this year, but I feel confident in the future", says Rose. "I'm just positive. I think people will step up and show their thanks to our veterans", Mintz tells us.
Proving that one little goal can spark a community to make big plans.
At this point in time Rose has collected about $8,000 out of the necessary $14,000 to pay for the meal,and 80 volunteers have signed up to help. They are looking for about 20 more bodies to step in to help prepare and serve food.
If you are interested in donating your time or money to this cause, please call Connie Rose personally at 325-627-6556 or drop by the Keller Williams Realty office at 3140 South 27th Street in Abilene.
There is now an account set up for donations at First Financial Bank under the name "Taylor County Veteran Services".
"I heard on a newscast that they were going to eliminate the Veterans Dinner, and I felt horrible", Mintz tells us.
And he knew there was a phone call to make.
"Coincidentally, I knew Connie Rose, and we were talking one day, and she told me she was in charge of putting this back together for our veterans. And so I immediately contributed all the turkeys and hams", explains Mintz.
Meanwhile, across town, Connie has been working overtime to collect donations and draw in volunteers, and a mere week later, she has some good news.
"The response has been overwhelming. We are still in need, so we don't want the community to think it's done. We'll be raising money right up to the event, but it's a go!", Rose exclaims.
Despite the work to be done, both Rose and Mintz are confident dinner will be served.
"Abilene is a great community and I know we had a hiccup this year, but I feel confident in the future", says Rose. "I'm just positive. I think people will step up and show their thanks to our veterans", Mintz tells us.
Proving that one little goal can spark a community to make big plans.
At this point in time Rose has collected about $8,000 out of the necessary $14,000 to pay for the meal,and 80 volunteers have signed up to help. They are looking for about 20 more bodies to step in to help prepare and serve food.
If you are interested in donating your time or money to this cause, please call Connie Rose personally at 325-627-6556 or drop by the Keller Williams Realty office at 3140 South 27th Street in Abilene.
There is now an account set up for donations at First Financial Bank under the name "Taylor County Veteran Services".
