The Emporia Community Foundation will be a clearinghouse for donations to a fund to purchase an enclosed trailer for the Patriot Guard Riders unit in this region.
The Patriot Guard Riders attend funeral services for servicemen and women to honor the deceased and insulate their families from picketers.
According to Debi Fuller, unit coordinator, the Patriot Guard Riders are not affiliated with a similarly named Patriot Guard in Kansas. The latter organization is associated with the American Legion.
The community already has responded with donations of merchandise and money to equip the unit with flags, coolers, flag poles and other items. The trailer will be used to carry the equipment.
Donations to the trailer fund may be sent to The Emporia Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1337, Emporia KS 66801. Checks need to be made payable to Emporia Community Foundation/Patriot Guard Riders Fund.
Volunteers will assemble flags and poles at the National Guard Armory from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Fuller said that anyone who wants to help is welcome to attend.