SEQUIM — A fundraiser benefiting the local Disabled American Veterans chapter set for June 3 is to be packed with hours of music and dancing.
It’s the third year of the fundraiser — though this is the second year it has been held at The Cedars at Dungeness golf course at 1965 Woodcock Road in Sequim — and 100 percent of donations will go toward helping veterans, said the event’s organizer, Bill Ellis.
“Congress wasn’t doing their job … so I decided why can’t the American people get in and help these heroes out,” Ellis said.
The event will start at noon with Boy Scouts presenting the colors, followed by several musical acts.
Ellis said the timing of the fundraiser will have it competing with the North Olympic Discovery Marathon, which is the same weekend, but he is not concerned.
“That doesn’t bother me because look at the talent we’ve got,” he said, referring to the musical acts performing.
He said everyone who is helping with the event is volunteer.
“They all volunteer their time,” he said. “Nobody is getting paid.”
The event is free, but DAV will collect donations once guests are inside.
Those who donate $20 or more will receive a shopping list form to take to a grocery store.
The Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course is donating 10 percent of all green fees to go toward the DAV as well, Ellis said.
Ellis said when the Elks Club hosted the event in 2016 he was able to give $5,500 to the DAV.
It’s money that gets put to good use, said Jeff Bele, commander of Chapter 9 of the DAV, which covers the North Olympic Peninsula.
“We help with everything from medical, dental, rent to lights and electricity,” he said.
He said the number of veterans helped each year ranges widely up to about 300 people.
That number depends on how much money is raised and what the veterans’ needs are, he said.
“If somebody has denture problems or medical issues, that’s what our money is there for,” he said.
Here’s the schedule:
• Noon — Boy Scouts colors presentation.
• 12:30 p.m. — Buck Ellard Band.
• 1:30 p.m. — Sequim High School Choir.
• 2:45 p.m. — Sequim High School Jazz Band.
• 4 p.m. — Black Diamond Junction featuring Amanda Bacon.
• 5:30 p.m. — Cat’s Meow Dance Band in the Legends Room.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
