Up in the air: Hot air balloon fundraising event planned for 100th anniversary of Camp American Legion

In 2025, Camp American Legion in Lake Tomahawk will turn 100 years old and there are plans for at least one major fundraising event to mark the milestone.

Lake Tomahawk resident Steve Woller, who has experience with producing hot air balloon events, is planning to hold a hot air balloon event in 2025 with the proceeds to benefit Camp American Legion. 

As part of the planning process, a tethering of hot air balloons was done at Rhinelander’s Hodag Park on the morning of Aug. 11.

According to Woller, there were a few reasons for the visit to Hodag Park.

“One reason was to get the balloon pilots up here so they could actually see Camp American Legion,” he said. “The second reason was for a photoshoot for our new website and Facebook page.”

That page is titled “We Love Ballooning.”

Woller said what’s being planned for 2025 are two hot air balloon events, “one in central Wisconsin and one up here.”

“We’re looking at two different locations up here right now,” he said. “It’ll be around the first week in August next year. We’re looking at having around 10,000 people. We want to raise some serious money for Camp American Legion.”

Woller said Camp American Legion has always been a “charity of choice.”

“We live up here and Camp American Legion, very few people know about it,” he said. 

With the camp about to turn 100 years old, there’s always things to be done, including replacement of cabins; in recent years, the  camp’s focus has expanded. Not only is the camp focused on veterans themselves it is also a place for veterans and their families.

“The goal is to raise money to help replace a cabin,” Woller said. 

“It’s not going to be a ‘one and done’ type deal,” Woller added. “We’re expecting a big turnout. These things really bring the people in.”

Camp American Legion director Jim Klement, who has met with Steve and Nancy Woller regarding the fundraising plans, acknowledged the help is needed. 

“It’s amazing what they want to do,” he said. “The idea that an organization is just going to give us all the profits of their fundraising activity like this ... that’s going to put us years ahead as far as planning and the development of camp.”

Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected].