HELPING VETERANS — Gene Millang, left, Secretary-Treasurer of the Freeborn-based Labor Day Harvest Festival Association, shakes hands with Mike Diemer, representing the Miller-Coors Brewing Co., as Chris Jacobson looks on. Millang presented Diemer about 45,000 aluminum can tabs to assist veterans programs. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
For the second year in a row, the MillerCoors Brewing Company is sponsoring a program to help the country’s veterans. It’s called “Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life.” For every aluminum can tab or bottle cap collected, the company will donate 10 cents toward veteran programs. The Freeborn-based Labor Day Harvest Festival Association decided to help out and started collecting tabs.
“We have had people from all over this area helping out,” said Gene Millang, secretary-treasurer of the association. “Folks from Freeborn, Hartland and New Richland have been collecting tabs. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 40-50 thousand tabs and caps collected. As I understand it, this will probably be the largest singular donation within our region.”
Through the program, veterans of Iran and Afghanistan will have the opportunity to enjoy experiences such as attending Major League ball games, NASCAR races, or enjoying concerts and fishing adventures. It’s not just about having a hot dog at a game; it is an opportunity to connect with fellow veterans in a fun and memorable way. Last year, MillerCoors donated $1 million which enabled thousands of veterans to enjoy a variety of experiences. This year’s tab collection period ends on September 30.
“Last year, we collected tabs for kidney dialysis,” said Millang. “This year, we decided to help out the veterans.”
The Labor Day Harvest Festival Association stays busy year around. They organize and sponsor the famous “Winter Festival” on Freeborn Lake in February. Notable events during the festival are the “Snow Snake Egg Hunt” and the “Frozen Road Apple Throw.” They put on a smelt feed and have “Dog Days of Summer” where people can enjoy hot dogs in the park. Members also act as drivers for the Meals on Wheels program.
“We are a non-profit group who supports other non-profit groups,” said Millang.
Anyone who wishes to join or to help out with Labor Day Harvest Festival Association activities is urged to contact Millang for more information.
