That’s out of 130 Burger King locations owned by the TOMS King franchisee group in Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia, raising $6,300 over a four-week campaign, $1 at a time by asking customers to kick in a buck.

“They did a tremendous job,” TOMS King CEO Matt Carpenter said.

Carpenter traveled from Illinois to Salem to present a check for $75,000 to the V.F.W. Unmet Needs fund, representing what was collected at all the restaurants in the franshisee group.

The V.F.W. was represented by State Commander Jim Hordinski of North Ridgeville, V.F.W. Foundation Director Richard Potter, District 6 Commander Tina Dasher, Salem V.F.W. Post 892 Commander Doug Brannon, and several local members.

Celebrating a large donation to the V.F.W. Unmet Needs fund were from left, V.F.W. Foundation Director Richard Potter, Salem V.F.W. Post 892 Commander Doug Brannon, V.F.W. District 6 Commander Tina Dasher, Salem Burger King general manager Holly Workman, V.F.W. State Commander Jim Hordinski, TOMS King (Burger King franchisee) CEO Matt Carpenter, and local Burger King general managers Colleen Sebastian, Columbiana, Jessica Rivera, Boardman, Christine Danks, Austintown, Kyle Coleman, Howland, Arielle Barnes, Elm Road, Warren, and District Manager Stefanie Seither. (Salem News photo by Mary Ann Greier)

Potter explained the Unmet Needs fund helps veterans of military service adjust when making the transition from military life to civilian life.

“Sometimes there’s a gap between that last military paycheck and the first civilian paycheck. We try to bridge that gap,” he said.

To learn more or find help, go to vfw.org under financial assistance. Hordinski said they call also go through their local V.F.W. and the V.F.W. Department of Ohio. Veterans Services also makes referrals.

He noted that this “shows what small communities can do to help veterans. Most of the donations come from smaller communities. They’re more in touch with veterans. Hometowns are more in touch because they know each other.”

Potter said the V.F.W. national works with franchisees like Matt Carpenter all over the country.

Veterans of Foreign Wars representatives thank Salem Burger King for a great job in raising money for the Unmet Needs fund. From left are V.F.W. Foundation Director Richard Potter, Salem V.F.W. Post 892 Commander Doug Brannon, V.F.W. District 6 Commander Tina Dasher, Salem Burger King general manager Holly Workman and V.F.W. State Commander Jim Hordinski. (Salem News photo by Mary Ann Greier)

“It’s just a great honor to be part of this,” Brannon said, especially for the Unmet Needs fund. “It does so much good for our veterans.”

He said it was also an honor to be able to come together with the state commander, district commander and the restaurant management.

“I’m just here to support the local V.F.W. They’re doing a great job,” Dasher said.

Carpenter introduced Salem Burger King general manager Holly Workman and said the company is appreciative of her efforts and the efforts of her crew. He also introduced general managers from other Burger King restaurants in the area, along with district manager Stefanie Seither, saying the restaurants in the Youngstown market outperformed other districts in the company.

He said what they do embodies one of the company’s core values of giving back to the communities that support the restaurants.

Other area general managers present and their locations included: Colleen Sebastian, Columbiana; Jessica Rivera, Boardman; Christine Danks, Austintown; Kyle Coleman, Howland; and Arielle Barnes, Elm Road, Warren.

mgreier@salemnews.net