The Ellsworth Sons of the American Legion are continuing a legacy of service. Unlike their brethren American Legion Riders on two wheels, the Sons are serving on four wheels — in golf carts.

They have started up a sort of chauffeur service to assist people in getting to community events. From football games to parades to Cowtown Days events, the Sons of the American Legion are dedicated to ensuring that residents make it to activities.

The group shuttles around residents from parking lot spots right up to the bleachers so they can still get out and enjoy activities in the community.

“It’s really going over big,” Ellsworth Sons of the American Legion treasurer Allan Grothusen said.

While the group now leads the service, it began with a simple conversation.

One day Grothusen was speaking with a local gentleman about the previous week’s high school football game. That gentleman mentioned that he doesn’t go to the games anymore and hasn’t for a bit because it was so difficult physically to get to the stadium and into the stands.

“I said, ‘By God, we’re gonna get you to the next game,’” Grothusen said. “That‘s where it started.”

He then got on the phone with some friends who had golf carts and started organizing. It wasn’t long before other folks were inquiring about similar assistance, whether for themselves or loved ones, who needed help getting to activities. They soon had four carts going to help.

“It isn’t just the elderly we help,” Grothusen explained. “I’ve helped young mothers with kids and I’ve hauled several people from the opposing team to the other side.”

Grothusen spoke with school officials as well and learned that the district had been approached on a number of occasions about such a service. However, unfortunately the school just didn’t have the manpower or ability to offer this kind of assistance to the community.

“Now that we have a winning football team, there’s a lot of people going,” Grothusen said. “There was a need, and we are slowly trying to get it filled.”

It was obvious this was a useful service within the community, so it became necessary to look at more avenues of assistance. The SAL applied to the Smoky Hills Community Foundation for a grant to purchase a golf cart that would be dedicated to this cause.

The foundation is a charitable organization that facilitates donations and filters funds into community needs through grants and scholarships.

“I contacted the Smoky Hills Community Foundation and explained what we wanted to do,” Grothusen said.

Through the grant from the foundation, they were able to purchase a new golf cart that can hold a driver and three additional people. Other members still offer their assistance with personal carts.

Getting everyone to the games is the easier part of the logistics, however, getting everyone out takes a lot of patience since even with their small fleet, they can’t be everywhere at once. They are hoping to get another cart for the SAL like the one they were able to get through the grant.

The SAL was founded in 1932, and is composed of males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership. Since 1988, SAL charters across the nation have raised more than $8 million for The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, volunteered over 500,000 hours at veterans’ hospitals and raised over $1 million for VA hospitals and VA homes. The Sons share goals with other American Legion entities, placing high importance on preserving American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for children, caring for veterans and their families and teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.

Grothusen has been a member of the Ellsworth Sons of the American Legion for about a decade now. He qualifies through his father’s service. He has, in the past, served as the commander for the organization, and remains an active member and officer.

“We’re an organization that wouldn’t be there without the older guys,” he said. “We’d like to get some younger men and women in the organization.”

People have started tipping their drivers, which is helpful because it goes towards fuel and insurance for the golf cart.

“Everyone has been very appreciative,” Grothusen said. “It’s really a lot of fun because you get to meet a lot of new people.”

Volunteers to drive and donations are certainly welcome for this growing community service. “We’re more than happy to do this if we can find the help,” Grothusen said. “We’re doing it as a community service, and I think it’s something really good.”

“It isn’t just the elderly we help. I’ve helped young mothers with kids and I’ve hauled several people from the opposing team to the other side.”

Allan Grothusen

Ellsworth Sons of the American Legion Treasurer