WC Legion benefit aids Eagles Telethon

Although the total monetary amount was still being added up, the West Concord American Legion Post and its auxiliary were calling Sunday’s pancake breakfast a success.
Post Commander Tom Hunt said that 180 people were served breakfast and total amount raised will likely be in the $2,500 to $2,600 range.
“We were very happy,” he said. “It went very well and people were very giving.”
The Legion sponsored the breakfast at the West Concord Legion hall with 100 percent of the proceeds to benefit the Eagles Cancer Telethon that will be held in Rochester this weekend.
The breakfast, generally held the Sunday before the telethon is an annual event and always draws a big crowd, Post members said. And this year was no exception.
The breakfast ran from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Post Commander Tom Hunt said there had been a steady flow all morning.
There was a recommended price for the breakfast, he said, but many people paid for their meal and left an additional donation.
The auxiliary was also having a successful morning with its bake sale that was drawing people coming and going from the breakfast.
While the men of the post were busy cooking up the pancakes, eggs and sausages, the auxiliary members were taking care of the dining room and the bake sale. Miss West Concord Lily Finne was also on hand to help with the serving.
While most of the diners were residents of the West Concord area, Andru Peters, vice commander of the First District’s Area 1 and Commander of the Wabasha County Legion, was also on hand for breakfast. He is also chair of the District Legislative Committee and said he would be working to promote veterans issues during the current legislative session.
A highlight, he said, will be March 20 which is Veterans Day on the Hill. Last year, more than 2,000 veterans were present for the program in the Capitol rotunda. He said he expects a similar gathering this year and in addition to the program, legislators will be available to meet with veterans and hear their concerns.
The money raised by the West Concord Post, which usually totals about $2,000, will be presented to the Fifth District Eagles at the telethon this weekend.
The Fifth District Eagles Cancer Telethon is the longest locally run telethon in the United States. This year marks the 65th year.
This year’s telethon runs from 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, to 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.
The public is invited to attend the telethon which will feature a variety of entertainment. It is also televised live on KTTC-TV and streamed live on KTTC and eaglescancertelethon.org.