City Times Staff

The Guns’n Hoses planning committee poses with Ray and Camille Bukowski, of Plover, as they present a check for $2,274 for the group’s veterans fundraising drive.

One version of a track chair. (Stock photo)

The Bukowski’s said they read in a March edition of the City Times that the committee was seeking funds to purchase an all-terrain wheelchair, known as a “track chair”, along with a trailer to haul it. The track chair will be rented out to local veterans who are disabled or otherwise have a difficult time getting around local parks and hunting grounds.

Camille Bukowski said the donation was made in honor of their late son, Keith.

“We are very, very proud of what you’re doing,” she told the planning committee Monday. “Our military deserves everything, and we’re just so pleased to help.”

The Guns’n Hoses fundraising work culminates with an annual exhibition charity softball game, pitting local police against firefighters in a friendly competition for the cause. The third-annual game will be held Aug. 27 at Leo Mancheski Field in Bukolt Park.

According to Kevin Ruder, co-chair of the committee and former SPPD Chief, funds for the track chair itself have already been donated, and is awaiting pickup from a distributor in Madison.

So far, the committee has secured more than $20,000 in donations to benefit local veterans. Funds will be distributed between the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, funding for local disabled veteran hunts, Ageless Aviation Dreams Fly-In and the Portage Co. Veterans Relief Fund.

Donations can be made directly at any branch of Simplicity Credit Union (formerly known as Central City Credit Union).