New Group Helping Military Families, Veterans Have Free Horse Race Entry Sat.

COLUMBUS - A small but passionate group of local residents have formed a new group that is hoping to help veterans and families of the military. Friends of the Columbus Area Military is a relatively new group says Jan Blair, who has a passion for helping families with active military members, and veterans find and utilize the resource available to them. Blair says the group was started because the current members know their is a need in the community that needs to be addressed. "And family doesn't always mean mom, dad. It means grandparents, it means significant other, really good friends, because it effects everybody. One of the things we've noticed around here, is there's really no support partially because we have no base here. But there's nobody to be there for them, to answer some of those silly questions," says Blair. The group is small, currently, but is hoping to grow in both the number of volunteers they have and the amount people they can help. The group has several events coming up, including a special night at the horse races for veterans this Saturday. "We are going to offer free admission to anyone with a military I.D. or a veteran status card and kind of just honor them, and just say hey, thank you for what you've done, what you're doing, and have a good time," says Blair. The group will also be at Columbus Days, with a booth, for anyone who has questions about how the group could help them or the community. Community members are also welcome to attend monthly meetings. "The 2nd Wednesday of the month, we're meeting at the Legion, at about 6:30 and if somebody wants to just show up, we're all for it. We just want to do good things for the community," says Blair You can find the group on Facebook by clicking here, or you can contact Jan Blair at 402-920-0293, or by email at [email protected]. The group would like expand and help out counties, such as Colfax, Butler, Madison, Polk, and others.