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• Grace Place hosting dinner to raise funds
• 6-year-old hit by car at school bus stop
• WDVA veterans benefits supermarket to be held in New Richmond

By Julia Ybarra-Young, RiverTown Staff

"Some people don't know who we are."

Duana Bremer, director of Grace Place in Somerset, said she was shocked when she heard some community members ask her what the facility did.

"We're the only 24-hour staffed homeless shelter in five counties," Bremer said.

Bremer is determined to enlighten people -- and feed them at the same time.

Grace Place is hosting a dinner and silent auction Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Hudson Country Club. For $20/ticket, attendees can arrive for social hour at 6 p.m., followed by a chicken dinner at 7 p.m. The keynote speaker toward the end of the meal will be Tamara "Tami" DeMar, a current Grace Place employee who will talk about her path from meth addiction to self-sufficiency.

Bremer stressed that the fundraising event is needed to support the increased need at the facility.

"Our expenses have risen without us adding anything," Bremer said, citing the increase in gasoline as adversely affecting their transportation services. "We already have seven people on our waiting list; we've had to turn three away."

The facility services St. Croix County and Polk County residents. All the money Grace Place receives stays at Grace Place.

"It doesn't go into the Cities, it stays here to help our friends, neighbors," Bremer said.

Grace Place can house up to 24 people at one time; they are currently at capacity - eight of them are children.

Residents are allowed to stay up to 90 days. During that time, they receive meals and lodging, as well as job coaching, finding employment and tutoring program for children. As a condition of stay, Grace Place will also refer them to the appropriate support group.

Bremer believes getting the word out about what Grace Place accomplishes is beneficial.

"The last article written in the New Richmond News (about the facility's lack of funds) was clipped out and sent to us by a reader, along with a check for $500," Bremer said.

For more information about Grace Place, contact 715-247-2944.

Authorities from the Dunn County Sheriff's Department are investigating an accident at a school bus stop that injured a 6-year-old boy.

The accident occurred at around 7:30 a.m. today (Tuesday) about a mile south of Colfax on CTH M.

Officials say Cody Sault, of rural Colfax, was crossing the road to get on the bus when he was struck by a car driven by Natasha Williams, 19, Eau Claire.

At the time of the accident the bus was stopped with its lights flashing and crossing arm extended.

According to sheriff's department officials, Williams rounded a curve and did not see the stopped school bus.

Cody was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with a broken leg. He was then transferred to the Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul where a hospital spokeswoman reported that he was in fair condition.

Veterans in far-western Wisconsin will be able to apply for state and federal benefits during a supermarket of veterans benefits on Oct. 24-25 in New Richmond.

The event is being hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs at the National Guard Armory located at 1245 Wall St.

The event will run from 1-7 p.m. on Oct. 24 and 8 a.m.-noon on Oct. 25.

The supermarket is part of the WDVA's "I Owe You" outreach campaign and "Mission: Welcome Home" initiative to assist new veterans.

WDVA holds these supermarkets across the state throughout the year to provide veterans one-stop services and benefits information.

"Veterans of all ages are encouraged to attend this event at the National Guard Armory in New Richmond," said Ken Black, acting WDVA secretary.

"Our outreach includes working with partnering agencies to help ensure our veterans and their families receive the benefits they deserve and to assist returning veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan with reintegration to their home communities," he added.

According to WDVA officials, there will be more than 40 service providers on hand, including the federal VA, state agencies, county and tribal veterans service officers, veterans service organizations, education centers, and more.

Minnesota veterans can come to the Supermarket to learn about federal VA health care, employment and other information.

WDVA officials advised veterans to bring their DD Form 214 with them.

Veterans, retirees and military service members will be able to establish eligibility for state veterans benefits at the event.

They will also be able to apply for VA health care and prescription drug benefits, disability compensation and pension, personal loans, home mortgage loans, home improvement loans and education or job-training grants.

Employment information will also be available.

Officials also say that veterans can receive assistance in obtaining military medals and records.

In addition there will be information available about the Wisconsin Veterans Homes in Union Grove and King, which offer eligible veterans affordable assisted living.

Veterans will also be able to pre-register for burial in state veterans cemeteries.

Information about the Wisconsin GI Bill benefit of tuition remission for eligible veterans and dependents will also be available.

Veterans can get more information at the WDVA Web site (www.WisVets.Com/Supermarkets), by calling 800.947.8387, or contacting a local county or tribal veterans service office.