Check out some of the remarkable stories and people who have been integral to VEAP’s 50 year history below. From humble beginnings to transformative milestones, these narratives and images have played a crucial role in shaping VEAP into the organization it is today.

Interested in sharing a story, memory, or photos? Please email Becky Patton, Special Events Manager, at beckyp@veap.org.

“In late 2013, I was working for Ziegler Cat.  At that time, I was part of the Ziegler Outreach committee which focused on community involvement in the communities where we had facilities. A VEAP representative contacted Ziegler to let us know that we were going to be neighbors. Ziegler Cat’s headquarter sits along the entire north property line of VEAP’s current location. We were already aware of VEAP’s good works and we had been partnering with VEAP in maintaining a community garden near VEAP’s former location.  

In addition to saying hello to their new neighbor, the VEAP representative had a favor to ask. Could we provide a truck and a truck driver for the 1.4 mile move from 9728 Irving Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431 to 9600 Aldrich Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420? The Ziegler Outreach committee approached Ziegler management and quickly received the approval to donate the use of a semi-truck and driver for the duration of VEAP’s move. The move went smoothly and everything was in place the opening of VEAP’s new location in early 2014.”   – Tom R.

“Reflecting on my time at VEAP, one memory stands out vividly: the experience of providing rides for seniors in our community. Every Tuesday, I eagerly volunteered for this task, forming connections with the individuals I had the privilege of assisting. These rides became more than just transportation; they were opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations and develop genuine relationships. As I look back, I realize that those moments enriched my life as much as they did the riders’. It was an amazing experience that left a lasting impact on me.”   – Floriane

“During my time as a volunteer at VEAP, I had the incredible opportunity to contribute in various ways, starting from my high school years through college. One of the projects I embarked on was creating a flyer and designing a dental awareness week maze for participants. It was fulfilling to play a role in spreading important health information to the community we served.

Years later, as I pursued a career in dentistry, those memories remained close to my heart. The experience of volunteering at VEAP not only instilled in me a passion for community service but also shaped my understanding of the importance of health education.”   -Simon

“I started as a church representative from Assumption Church in Richfield in 1985. Assumption Church was one of the founding 13 parishes. Fr. Ron Meyer was the Asst. Pastor then. I worked as a volunteer at House of Prayer food shelf on Fridays giving out bags of food. I also was on the Food Committee meeting monthly at the many VEAP office locations. Susan Freeman gave me a personal tour of VEAP’S present location way before the building was converted into what is today. Congratulation on 50 years of serving many people.”   -Marcia S.

“I started volunteering as a driver for VEAP the summer or fall of 1974, even before the name was changed to VEAP. I drove for all those years until VEAP stopped providing rides to people for medical and other appointments. I think at one time I was the longest VEAP volunteer.

It was a pleasure driving people for VEAP to their appointments and the people were all so very nice. They really liked VEAP driving them, so much more so than some other organizations that drove people. They never had to wait around for us. They appreciated us so very much and at times a client who didn’t talk would talk on the ride. Originally when I started driving we picked the person up, drove them to their appointment and waited until they were done, and then drove them home. Later on VEAP changed to one person driving the person to their appointment and then another person bringing them home. I really felt bad when VEAP stopped giving people rides to their appointments.

There were also some times I gave people rides home from the food shelf and would ask them how they got to the food shelf. A response from people living over near Portland Ave. was often—-oh, I just walked.”   -Cheryl M.

“One of the cherish moments when VEAP did the drives to help the ones with toys for families that needed them at Christmas. I had the honor helping for 2 years the families who needed toys. It was amazing to see the gratitude in their eyes. I was asked by many of them to help make the decisions what they left with.. Brought smiles to their faces.”  -Bernadette