Please help honor those who served by contributing to this important project.
Learn more about the campaignAfter several meetings over coffee in restaurants and cafes, area veterans determined they have no appropriate meeting space for programs, large gatherings, special events, resources and organization offices in Aberdeen. Yet the number of vets is increasing and the number of struggling vets is increasing, so demand for a community center has become vitally important. So four separate veterans organizations (see below) joined together to incorporate a new non profit organization called Aberdeen Area Veterans, Inc (AAVI). The board of directors is made up of three members from each organization. After working on a business plan, AAVI secured seed money from each organization to advance a building project. Several locations were considered and land was ultimately secured on north Roosevelt Street, a quarter mile north of Milwaukee Avenue.
In 2020, the AAVI team launched a three-year capital campaign to fund the construction of the new community center. After intense planning, the estimated cost, and amount needed to be raised to build the building is $5.2 million. Building Common Ground has been selected as the theme of the project because they are embarking on an unprecedented effort to merge the interests of four different veteran organizations under one roof. Not only that, but the public will be invited to use the facility for their own uses, but also to engage in various veteran activities.
PLEASE NOTE: This project is not affiliated with the VA or any other government project.
The proposed building designed by Aberdeen’s HKG Architects, is intended to draw people together for a variety of reasons. Most importantly it will provide a trusted, welcoming haven for vets struggling with PTSD, suicide, depression, or loneliness. Getting them out of their home and into a place with familiar faces can provide guidance to help with personal struggles.
The new center will:
Top View
Floor plan
Front view
Location
Gifts to the campaign will be sought in the form of cash, appreciated marketable securities, land or other assets that can be readily converted to cash. Veterans, individuals, families, foundations and businesses will be invited to participate in this campaign effort through a three to five year pledge or one time gift. Gifts from Qualified retirement assets will also be welcomed. Technical assistance will be available to those considering gifts that involve real estate, farm equipment or other assets that may provide tax burden relief.
Needed Gits-in-kind such as construction materials will also welcome subject to approval by construction leadership.
Remember a living or deceased veteran with a naming, memorial and/or tribute gift. Opportunities are available to not only veterans, but also to individuals, families, businesses, and foundations contributing $75,000 or more to the campaign. Recognition plans are still in the works for gifts of all levels.
Remember a living or deceased veteran with a naming, memorial and/or tribute gift. Opportunities are available to not only veterans, but also to individuals, families, businesses, and foundations contributing $75,000 or more to the campaign. Recognition plans are still in the works for gifts of all levels.
| BUILDING AREA | AMOUNT NEEDED |
|---|---|
| The Building | $2,000,000 |
| Pheasant Canteen | $500,000 |
| Event Spaces (3) each | $250,000 |
| Fitness Center | $250,000 |
| Museum | $250,000 |
| Kitchen | $250,000 |
| Conference Room | $100,000 |
| Pre-function Space | $100,000 |
| Armory | $75,000 |
| AAVI Office | $75,000 |
| Patio/Pergola | $75,000 |
| Offices (6) | $75,000 |
I am pleased and honored to accept this important leadership assignment with the AAVI. In the next several months we will be reaching out to veterans all across Brown County to help them understand the importance of this new veteran center planned for Aberdeen.
But first, here’s a little about my background.
Retired Brigadier General, Tom Croymans is currently a Civil Engineer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Central Office, Washington DC, involved with Engineering and Oversight of the Federal Lands Highway, Tribal Transportation Program and a resident of Aberdeen since 1989.
BG Croymans retired from the SD Army National Guard in May of 2019 after more than 43 years of service. His last duty position was the Assistant Adjutant General from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019 where he was responsible to the Adjutant General for strategic planning, strength management, troop readiness and mobilization support of the state's 3,200 Army National Guard Soldiers.
General Croymans began his military career in October of 1975 enlisting in the 740th Transportation Company in Milbank SD. He spent the first fourteen years of his career as an enlisted soldier attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant through the South Dakota Military Academy OCS program in December of 1989 and was branched as a Transportation Officer. He has held various command and staff positions to include commander of the 1742nd Transportation Company, and the 88th Troop Command. He was named the first commander of the 139th Brigade Support Battalion and later went on to command 109th Regional Support Group. After graduation from the Army War College in June of 2012, he returned to South Dakota and served as the Army Chief of Staff until December of 2014 when he was assigned as the Director of the Joint Staff. In November of 2015 he was named the Land Component Commander – Army where he served until his assignment to the Assistant Adjutant General – Army position. His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters amongst others. He served his entire career as a traditional Guardsman.
General Croymans graduated from Highschool in Wilmot SD and has a Diploma from Lake Area Vocational Technical Institute in Industrial Drafting Technology, a Bachelors of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State University and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
He and his wife Vicki live in Aberdeen. They have one grown daughter Jenna.
In an unprecedented effort, four area veteran organizations have agreed to pool resources and work together to help veterans live their best lives. As times change and more veterans appear on the landscape, a different approach is needed for addressing the needs of our fellow vets. The newly formed Aberdeen Area Veterans, Inc. (AAVI) is comprised of, but not limited to, representatives from VFW, American Legion, 40 and 8, and Marine Corps League.
The Aberdeen Area Veterans, Inc. (AAVI) is a newly incorporated non-profit governing board organized with equal representation (5 members at large) of each of the four partner Veterans organizations: VFW, American Legion, 40 and 8, and Marine Corp League. This facility is not associated with the VA.
While we recognize there are many fine gyms and workout opportunities in Aberdeen, wounded, disfigured veterans are often not comfortable working out in public spaces. Our Fitness Center will be accessed with a membership key, include showers, and offer space for yoga and a variety of workout routines.
No. The name of the building is Aberdeen Area Memorial Community Center. The services provided will be offered to all small town veterans organizations in the entire region. We will welcome their members into our groups and Center. Camaraderie and inclusiveness is what aging, injured, depressed, and ailing veterans need to feel connected and part of a bigger community.
The reality is, no one can go it alone anymore. By combining the resources and membership of four different veteran groups and 5 members at large, the business plan illustrates that this concept will work, and sustain itself. Plus, the accountability of the board of directors comprised of three members of each of the four groups provides oversight and accountability to the operation.
No. Although the plans include an industrial kitchen, this will be reserved for event usage such as pancake feeds and burger nights. Pheasant Canteen patrons will be able to order easy-prep style bar food such as pizzas and nachos.
Over the course of two years, AAVI board members reviewed nearly 20 different existing buildings, including the gigantic Shopko building. Ultimately renovation costs, parking constraints, and unsuitable space of all the options led to the decision to build new.
A program/facilities manager will be hired to coordinate the services veterans need as well as all the social activities at the Center. Support staff will be retained as needed. A comprehensive business plan illustrates the Center will sustain itself with charitable grants to support the services programming as well as with revenue from the Pheasant Canteen and facility rental. Our non-profit status requires that charitable income be required for a significant portion of the operation. An endowment/planned giving strategy will also be implemented.
Yes! Anyone in the community can frequent the Pheasant Canteen, rent the convention space, or participate in any publicly held events. Veterans will have priority for their own organizational and family events.
There are 5,000 military veterans in Brown County, 10,000 in the region, and their families. AAVI only has contact with 900 of them through the member organizations. Your help is requested in helping us reach more veterans in our area. Click here to to provide us with names of veterans we should have on our mailing list.
No. This facility will not be funded or have any ties to governmental agencies or the VA. It is a completely separate organizational board and building.
Records indicate that there are 5,000 veterans living in Brown County. The AAVI wants to make sure each veteran is reached and knows about this important capital campaign. If you or someone you know is a veteran, click the refer a veteran button below to add their contact information.
Please contact us about your intensions or questions. We can expertly guide you towards a gift that’s right for you, your family or a veteran who has given so much for our country.
