Gross Motors, Inc., Kuhl Equipment, Inc., Russell’s of Neillsville, Northwestern Bank, Citizens State Bank of Loyal, Don & Cindy Quicker, James & Christine Krizenesky, Carol Shea and David Dvoracheck have pledged (between $25,000 and $49,999) to the Company Giving Society for The Highground Rising Capital Campaign, the ongoing private $4M capital campaign to build a Welcome Center at The Highground and support additional Park improvements.
Bruce Rakestraw and Travis & Amanda Mortenson, Co-owners of Russell’s of Neillsville, share their thoughts on why they are advocates for this initiative. “We support The Highground project because Veterans over the years have not received the respect they deserve nor the help for physical and mental problems stemming from their service. This project will also bring people to the community which supports working veterans and veteran-owned businesses.”
The $4M capital campaign, which launched this spring, has raised just over $1.2M in cash and pledges to date. The organization hopes to break ground on its 12,000 square foot Welcome Center by 2022.
Key features of the planned expansion will include:
- A 12,000 square-foot Welcome Center with space for Veteran-focused events and programs, as well as mental health services
- Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities act (ADA), ensuring access to the entire Park and all memorial sites for disabled Veterans and visitors
- Improved parking, allowing for safer access to the tributes and to the Welcome Center
- Increased financial stability and long-term sustainability with the pay-off of the $450,000 mortgage
Uniquely, The Highground is one of the country’s largest privately-funded, continuously-staffed Veterans parks in the nation. The Highground and Camp Victory is located in pristine Central Wisconsin on two breathtaking campuses. The 155-acre Park, located just west of Neillsville along Highway 10, features a breathtaking view from the Plaza. Camp Victory, located roughly 18 miles north of the main site, sits on 295 lush, wooded acres.
The organization has received limited government funding in its over 35 year history – paying tribute to Veterans of the past, present and future with a mission to Honor, Educate and Heal. Annual visitors are on the rise with over 225,000 expected in the future.
More information about this important effort is available on the campaign website at campaign.thehighground.us. For additional information, or to volunteer or make a gift, contact Chris Pettis, Executive Director, at director@thehighground.us.