It was a good turnout and I don't know what else to say. Oh my gosh. We had never heard 40 Fingers before, it was wonderful. Everybody had a great time. We raised money and we brought awareness to Sofas for Service from Altoona, which was one of our main goals.”

Deb Marrier

The fifth annual Veterans Fest was held on Friday, November 8, at 6 p.m. at The Pablo Center in Eau Claire. An estimated $18-$20,000 was raised for homeless veterans, also raised…the awareness of the homeless situation in the area. Rosewater with special guests from the Chippewa Valley Orchestra and the band 40 Fingers entertained at the intimate 400 seat Jamf Theater.

Darrell Marrier, member of Rosewater, has written a song a month reported his mother Deb Marrier, who is a Vets Fest organizer and has dedicated many years to this cause. He introduced a few new songs which were veteran related. “They were wonderful,” said Deb. “And then we had four members of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra there with strings. So that was wonderful.”

The proceeds from this event went to support Every Third Saturday (ETS), a charity that helps to clothe, feed and support homeless veterans. Attendees were encouraged to bring winter items for the veterans such as winter coats, boots, hoodies, new long johns and new underwear. Also, in attendance and now partnering with ETS was Sofas for Service which is an organization that collects and delivers furniture and household goods for veterans. This event also brought awareness of the increasing homelessness in the Eau Claire area in which numbers are increasing to over 200. Deb Marrier commented that there is a great need for winter clothing and tents for the homeless. 

“It was a good turnout,” said Deb. “And I don't know what else to say. Oh my gosh. We had never heard 40 Fingers before, it was wonderful. Everybody had a great time. We raised money and we brought awareness to Sofas for Service from Altoona, which was one of our main goals.”

Scott Marrier, another driving force behind this event, confirmed it was a good turnout. “People brought a ton of stuff for the vets,” he said. “I don't think you could have got another sock in my truck. The truck was full. People brought a lot more stuff than we expected.”

Scott said he was amazed in the quantity of donations that ETS has received over the years. “We've kind of lost track of the counting mode, but we know we've handed out over a million survival items to homeless vets and 250,000 quilts, a lot of quilts. Every Third Saturday is going just…this is a modern-day miracle.” 

He would like the public to know that if anyone is interested in donating winter items or quilts for ETS, they can be dropped off at DJs Hardware in Thorp and O-W Sports in Owen.

Veterans Fest will live on said Scott, they will keep the Eau Claire venue, but the new date is yet to be determined.