EVANSDALE - A fundraiser will be held Saturday to help wounded veterans and those having a tough time since returning from war. It also will assist families of veterans who never made it back.

Evansdale AMVETS Post 31 will host a Welcome Home Iowa Veterans free lunch and raffle from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The post is located at 706 Colleen Drive, about two blocks east of River Forest Road.

The public is encouraged to attend. Organizers hope a 1,000 people or more open their hearts and wallets for veterans locally and nationwide. Thousands of citizen soldiers statewide have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention Iowans serving full-time.

"We're hoping the whole town shows up and we have to keep going back for food," said Bob Armstrong, Post 31 member and event organizer. "This is a way to give back to all the people who have helped us through the years. If it wasn't for all those guys and gals fighting for us overseas, we would be in deep trouble."

While Northeast Iowa has experienced its share of joyous military homecomings during the last few years - the latest being 74 members of the Iowa Army National Guard's 211th General Support Aviation Battalion based in Waterloo - not every veteran lives happily ever after. Some are dealing with emotional, physical and financial problems that need more assistance than regular veteran's benefits provide, Armstrong said.

Proceeds from numerous raffles will help local veterans and be donated to various veterans groups, such as the Wounded Warrior Project. Money will also be set aside for scholarships to help children of soldiers killed in action to attend college.

Raffle tickets cost 35 cents each. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12038 of Waterloo donated two 42" LCD TVs. Several art prints will also be given away.

Helping veterans out is the least people can do, said Jerry Holtzman, post commander. The Evansdale City Council proclaimed Saturday, "Welcome Home Veterans Day."

"It's a tribute to our veterans and wounded warriors. We just wanted to do something for them," he said.

Donations will be accepted to help pay for the hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and other food served. Twenty-five cent draw beer will also be available.