The Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls’ Recreation Committee, Inc is in the later stages of funding another, very expensive project for the Veterans Home. This time the Recreation Committee is raising money to help pay for an outdoor courtyard where Veterans Home members will be comfortable outdoors, in the sun or under cover.

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and CVHRC, Inc. partnered to fund this endeavor. The Recreation Committee’s portion of the cost is north of $233 thousand dollars – a dollar figure the Committee hopes to achieve with the support of wonderful veterans’ organizations such as the Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary (ALA-WI) with leaders like Diane Weggen.

As the 2021-2022 President of the Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary, Diane made the Chippewa Veterans Home Courtyard her “President’s Special Project”. On November 30, 2022, she presented her check, which represents over a year’s worth of effort on the many American Legion Auxiliary units in Wisconsin and her part making the courtyard a reality for the Members at Chippewa Veterans Home.

Diane Weggen’s dedication and hard work towards this project helped her achieve her personal goal of raising $50,000, which she achieved—and then some, raising $52,189.50 through donations to the Wisconsin Legion Auxiliary President’s Special Project fund, with an addtional $10,000 through a grant received from the nonprofit 501(c) 3 American Legion Auxiliary Foundation, thus bringing the total donation to over $62,000. The Veterans Home outdoor courtyard is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2023.

Numerous American Legion Unit and veterans service organizations members attended the check presentation. The 2022-2023 American Legion Auxiliary Department of WI President Linda Coppock and 1st Vice President Rebecca Mueller joined the group at the Chippewa Veterans Home.

Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary President Diane Weggen (second from right) presents a check to Harry Bauer of Chippewa Falls Post 77, with the funds for use towards construction at the Veteran’s Home in Chippewa Falls. Shown left to right are Dept. of WI ALA Chippewa Veterans Home Rep Nancy Randen (Eau Claire Auxiliary Unit 53), Chairman-Elect Mike Riedel (Cadott Legion Post 159), Past Dept. of WI ALA President Diane Weggen (Thorp Auxiliary Unit 118), Chr. Harry Bauer (Chippewa Falls Post 77). Photo submitted.