WAPAKONETA, OHIO (WLIO) - The Auglaize County Veterans Services Office dedicated their new Veterans Pavilion at the fairgrounds Friday afternoon.
They broke ground this spring on the project and were able to get it done in time for the Auglaize County Fair, which starts at the end of July. The pavilion will be the new home to the annual veterans’ program during the fair. But in the future, they are looking forward to using the pavilion as a place where veterans can get information on various services, like the VA and the Veterans Outreach Center. County veterans officials are glad to see years of discussions and planning turn into something to honor Auglaize veterans for years to come.
“A three-year labor of love waiting on this building. Telling veterans, its coming, its coming. Now that it is finally here, we are really excited to be able to show that to the veterans, and they can come out here and see what we have done,” says Rob Wiss, Director, Auglaize Co. Veteran Services Office.
The pavilion will also be home to the first Universal Changing Station in Auglaize County. The Auglaize County Board of DD used American Rescue Plan dollars to put in the station, which will help caregivers and people with disabilities at the fair. This is the first one that Foundations Worldwide has installed, but they have more going up around the state.
“We are an Ohio-based company, and our table is the only one in the world that is made in the United States. We just have a whole lot of collaboration with various groups in Ohio, and the counties and the boards of developmental disabilities have been really receptive, and on board, and supportive. So, we are really excited to get out there and get more of these installed,” says Gregory Burchard, Foundations Worldwide Business Development Manager.
“We want to see Universal Changing Tables in public spaces because it opens the community up for full access for all residents and visitors. It allows people of all ages with physical disabilities to be able to go to public spaces, public events, recreation concerts without worry about what they are going to do when they need to use the restroom,” adds Renee Kohler, Superintendent, Auglaize County Board of DD.
State Representative Angie King presented the Auglaize County Veterans Office with a commendation from the Ohio House for the opening of the pavilion. People will get to see the new structure in person at the fair, which runs July 28th through August 3rd.
