A local man, Jim Roelike, has for years been going door-to-door at area businesses raising funds to help charitable causes.

 

This week, Roelike visited  Janet Boettcher and the Becker Food Shelf to hand them a check for $300.

 

“I like to help people,” said Roelike. “I’m not working (disabled) and this gives me something to do to help others.”

 

Roelike is a member of the Monticello VFW Men’s Auxiliary Post 8731 and very year at this time, the VFW holds their Oktoberfest celebration, supporting veterans and active-duty soldiers and charities. Roelike is responsible for the silent auction and games part of the event, so he ventures out six weeks or so before the event every year to pull in donations.

 

Roelike has gone door-to-door to area businesses for the last four years and he is astounded by the generosity of the Becker area businesses and individuals who donate to the cause of the VFW.

 

“I’ve been to many communities and without a doubt, Becker is the most giving,” Roelike said. “These businesses never hesitate in opening their hearts as well as their wallets.”

 

Roelike’s goal this year was to raise over $5,000 to go towards the Oktoberfest event and he succeeded in that achievement. The donations get disbursed for the Oktoberfest event as well as donations made to area food shelves, veteran’s groups and local charities. The VFW has donated to not only the Becker community, but the communities in Monticello, Big Lake, Buffalo, Albertville and many others.

 

In 2012, Roelike raised $1,600 of which his group donated the entire amount to the Monticello Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign — supporting local families of deployed soldiers.

 

In 2013, Roelike raised over $3,000 and the VFW donated half to the Eagle’s Healing Nest facility in Sauk Centre. Eagle’s Healing Nest is a non-profit organization committed to meeting the needs of veterans, service members and their families who suffer from the invisible wounds of war.

 

Last year, Roelike raised $3,900 of which the VFW donated $1,500 to Eagle’s Healing Nest, $1,400 to the Wounded Warrior Project and $500 to the Becker Food Shelf.

 

Roelike and the VFW are annually looking for valuable items (new clothing items, gift certificates, gift baskets, etc.)  to help them with their silent auction and monetary donations are also gratefully accepted.

 

The VFW Men’s Auxiliary Secretary, Warren Schulz, has been grateful to Roelike and the Becker businesses who continually make their Oktoberfest event a huge success.

 

This year’s Oktoberfest event was held Oct. 10 at the VFW post in Monticello, where they featured the silent auction, German music, brats, sausages, sauerkraut and sides as well as a meat raffle, costume contest and games for the kids.

 

Roelike hopes that as he makes his annual trek through the business areas of Becker and Becker Twp., he’ll continue to get the support he’s had over the last four years and maybe even see it grow even more.

 

“I might have to make my way across the highway next year,” said Roelike, referring to Industrial Park. “I just want to say, on behalf of the Monticello VFW, the men’s auxiliary and me, thank you so much to all of those who donated and continue to donate to our worthy cause.”

 

For those interested in being part of next year’s fund raising venture with Roelike, contact Jim at the following email address: relksj@hotmail.com or call the VFW at 763-295-3792.