Advertising set for veterans outreach event

Advertising possibilities for the upcoming veterans outreach event, have been set by the Jasper County Veterans Affairs board. The event, which is now April 7, will use radio spots to publisize the gathering among additional advertising selections.

In a 3-2 vote, the radio advertisements will be 56 spots at a cost $1,600. The decision was far from unanimous with board members who thought the price was too steep to pay for advertising.

“I’m totally opposed to that. I’d rather see us give away more prizes or put more into the event or something other than this,” commissioner Susan Springer said.

Springer and commissioner Marta Ford were the two in opposition to the advertising. Director Kurt Jackson said if the board doesn’t use all of the funds allocated to opportunities such as the outreach event, there isn’t much else it can be spent on.

“If we want this event to be successful, I believe we need to advertise it,” Jackson said.

The board also discussed the other options for advertising including the idea they can print fliers to be disperse throughout the county in various places highlighting information about the event.

“How many fliers do we need?” commissioner Fred Dimon said.

The board agreed 200 fliers would be a good amount for the event. Each commissioner would then have the opportunity look into areas to place the fliers in Jasper County and take 20 copies each for distribution. There was also discussion on the content displayed on the fliers.

“If you are going to advertise it and if we have money, I know we don’t want to willy nilly spend money, but we ought to try every medium that we can get,” Dimon said.

The board further discussed the possibility for door prize drawings for veterans attending the event and landed on 20 — $25 gift cards. To win, the recipient must be a veteran and the prizes will be distributed at the event or mailed to the winner.

“I think that ought to cover us,” commissioner Mike Naber said.

Further discussion on the specific gift cards to purchase will take place at a future meeting.

In other business:

• The board discussed making changes to the inserts that go into the flag cases it provides. The old cards had the names of Kurt Jackson and Keith Thorpe as well as the address of JCVA. The board agreed to remove the names and the address as to not have the inserts become outdated if someone were to leave and with the JCVA potentially moving buildings in the future.

The next regularly scheduled Jasper County Veterans affairs meeting is 3 p.m. March 11 in the Jasper County Annex Building.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com