Lenawee Broadcasting marked Veterans Day by once again turning its airwaves and parking lot into a lifeline for former service members in southeast Michigan, raising $60,882 through its annual Thank a Vet fundraiser to support the Veterans Dire Need Fund administered by Housing Help of Lenawee.
Now in its 29th year, the curbside event brings together Lenawee’s radio stations, station staff, and local business leaders who line the street to greet drivers and collect donations. Contributions go directly toward emergency assistance for veterans, covering rent and utility payments, storage fees, and basic necessities such as work boots and clothing that can help displaced veterans get back into the workforce.
This year’s total pushes the long-running effort past the half-million-dollar mark in cumulative support for local veterans, underscoring how small, recurring community actions can add up to sustained impact over time.
Julie Koehn, president of Lenawee Broadcasting Company and Southeast Michigan Media, said the effort reflects the values of the community as much as it honors those who served. She described Lenawee County’s veterans as embodying “courage, commitment, and community,” and called Thank a Vet “one small way” for listeners, sponsors, and staff to say thank you for that service. Koehn also paid tribute to James Mooney, the local veteran and former station employee who launched the original effort nearly three decades ago, noting that the continued success of the fundraiser is part of his legacy.