Aurora South Stake Raises More than $8,000 to Help Send Veterans on Vacations
By Narae Choi, Aurora South Stake Media Specialist
When Aurora’s Karin Crawford saw a need to help veterans in her community, she didn’t hesitate to step up. Crawford and the Aurora South Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently partnered to raise money for the non-profit Vacations for Warriors (V4W).
V4W has sent more than 50 military families on vacation experiences of a lifetime as a way of saying thank you for their service to our country. The organization used to hold an annual fundraiser at a local Rotary Club, but that facility was no longer available. Crawford stepped up to organize the fundraiser at her local church meetinghouse. She worked with the Aurora South communications committee to plan a delicious potluck and patriotic program. The event also featured face painting, games and an area where participants could write gratitude cards for veterans.
Two local military families attended the event. Both of the servicemen from the families lost their legs in combat. One family had already received their dream vacation through V4W and shared their vacation experience with the fundraiser attendees. Their experience of the vacation was amazing and the families who are their caregivers were able to get this reprieve and opportunity to be together.
Both families also spoke about their military service, their injuries and how they are coping today. Both men play sled hockey, sitting volleyball and other sports to find purpose and connection with other veterans. The second family will have their vacation this year. Approximately 150 people attended this event with about a third coming from outside the church to support the cause. It was a very inspiring and patriotic event. By the end of the fundraiser, the Aurora South Stake raised $8,100! It was a great success with a few of those who attended even offering to let V4W use their vacation homes for veterans!
V4W was founded by Bob Demonbrum, who served in the army in Vietnam. He also served in the military ministry in his Greenwood Village church for many years supporting veterans and their needs. He owned a vacation home in Kauai that sat empty from time to time. He started small when there was availability at his home sending veterans to Kauai. He wanted a way to give back to our military heroes especially those wounded physically or mentally from their acts of service.
Demonbrum and his wife created relationships in the travel industry to help the funds they received for their non-profit to cover more vacations and amazing dream experiences. Over the years they have created strong relationships and support with major airlines, hotel chains and local people to the places they send the military families. They are able to get huge discounts for all the travel, activities and needs with these relationships.
Crawford has had an extremely blessed life. She was raised by a father who tirelessly lived a life of service. He was such a great example of gratitude humility and kindness. Her father was a farm boy and grew up in Wyoming. At 17 with 27-cents in his pocket, he hitchhiked to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, received his Masters in geology and went on to live a remarkable life. He had a very successful oil business and felt so blessed that he spent most of his life giving much of his success away to those who needed it more.
Crawford founded a successful design business that has allowed her family to give generously to many great causes. She truly believes they are blessed in order to pay it forward. Vacation for Warriors has given Crawford that opportunity every year. The blessings are immediate as she meets these families and continues to stay in touch and receive their friendship and gratitude. It’s a way to show her gratitude for the greatest country in the world and the best amongst us, those who serve our country so we may live a blessed life.
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