by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Public servants and/or their families can get their driveways plowed free this winter, thanks to a volunteer program known as Plowing Vets.
Such public servants in the greater St. Cloud area who include veterans, families of veterans stationed elsewhere, police officers, firefighters and first-responders.
It’s the second year of the free service, which was founded by veteran Nate Chapman of St. Cloud. Chapman served overseas, and when he returned home he decided to do something to help the public servants who had been so supportive of him and his loved ones while he was serving in the U.S. Army. Chapman, with the help of Tim Meland, a Stearns County sheriff’s deputy, got the program off to a good start. Last winter, about 25 driveways were plowed.
Here’s what the wife of a veteran said on the Plowing Vets Facebook page, one of many grateful comments received:
“Plowing Vets came over when there was just a dusting of snow on the ground. But let me tell you how nice it was not to have to worry about my husband slipping and falling! Thank you!”
Plowing Vets has given service to people in homes from Avon to Rice, from Richmond to Paynesville.
This year, Chapman, who is away for the time being, asked veteran Nathan Johnson if he would be willing to take over the program in his absence. Johnson agreed.
Johnson is a 12-year veteran of the Minnesota National Guard who lives in LeSauk Township near Sartell. He served three deployments in Middle-East war zones. Last winter, he and his wife, Abby, had triplets – two girls and a boy. At that time, Plowing Vets arrived to plow his driveway, which is one big reason Johnson agreed to help with the program.
“Through many years of deployments in direct support of the war on terror, my family has received tremendous support from our local community of veterans and law enforcement,” Johnson said. “And so it’s a personal goal of mine to give back to the community that has been there so much for my family.”
Nathan and Abby Johnson, besides their seven-month-old triplets (Juliette, Maverick and Vivianna), also have three children from Abby’s former marriage (Hudson, 10; Burkley, 9; and Declan, 5).
The mission of Plowing Vets is really a very simple one, Johnson said. It is “to take care of those who serve us.”
The volunteers are also willing to plow out local businesses owned by veterans.
Plowing Vets could use more volunteers as well as donations for maintenance of equipment and gas money.
Johnson wants to start an “Adopt a Driveway” program so a plowing volunteer can plow a particular driveway when needed throughout the winter.
For more information about Plowing Vets and how to volunteer or to donate, visit its website at www.plowingvets.org.
Donations can also be made at www.gofundme.com/plowingvets.
If anyone eligible needs a driveway plowed or knows of someone who does, go to the Plowing Vets website noted above or call 320-241-8236.
A Plowing Vet volunteer sweeps off the driveway of a public servant last winter.
Nathan Johnson, a 12-year veteran, is this year’s coordinator for the Plowing Vets program. He and his wife, Abby, have six children, including 7-month-old triplets. From left to right are Burkley, Abby holding Maverick, Declan (front) Nathan holding Vivianna and Juliette, and Hudson.
The Plowing Vets organization is willing to plow the driveways of public servants free of charge.
