The Hugo Beyond the Yellow Ribbon was recognized for 15 years of supporting Minnesota’s military community at a city council meeting at Hugo City Hall on March 17. 

Before the meeting, guests, including Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, the Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General, and Army Brig. Gen. Charles Kemper, 34th Infantry Division commander, were invited to a social hour where photos, messages of thanks, and awards that the Hugo BTYR has received through the years were on display. During the meeting, several Hugo BTYR volunteers were awarded certificates of appreciation.

Chuck Haas, Hugo BTYR president and chair, has several family members who served in the military, and he has been part of the group since its inception. Haas said he enjoys “supporting the best and brightest of this next generation of soldiers and airmen and their families.”

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon builds and maintains a support network to meet the needs of Minnesota’s veterans, service members, and their families in all branches. Hugo joined the BTYR community network in 2009 becoming the second BTYR city after Farmington. Some of the Hugo BTYR’s efforts include meat raffles with the local American Legion, monthly Burger Nights, sending care packages to deployed service members, Secret Santa, Shop with a Cop, and pheasant hunts for veterans, service members, and military youth.

As with all the 50 BTYR community networks statewide, Hugo’s efforts are coordinated entirely by volunteers, and Hugo is never short on people willing to help.

“There are over 400 names on our distribution list for our Red Friday Reports that provide a weekly report on network activities and volunteer opportunities,” Haas said. “In 2024, we hosted ten unit Family Day events, fed over 2,500 service members and families, and there was always an overwhelming response from volunteers to serve. When I send out an emergency need email, the need is met within minutes. Sure, over the years some volunteers have come and gone, but there continue to be folks volunteering to take their place.”

The Hugo BTYR is a nonprofit and is funded through donations from individuals, civic groups, such as the Lions and Rotary, businesses, and VFWs and American Legion posts.

“We raise and spend between $100,000 and $125,000 annually,” Haas said. “Over 15 years, nearly $2 million have been donated through the generosity of those supporting our service members and their families.”

Haas has many fond memories through Hugo BTYR’s 15 years, but one stands out most. He recalled the time he delivered Secret Santa gifts for a solider and her family at Holman Field in St. Paul.

“I had a big pile of gifts and when she came out, I introduced myself and told her I was bringing her family their gifts,” Haas said. “She thanked me and asked which ones were for her. When I said, ‘All of them,’ she teared up, saying, ‘I am a soldier. I won’t cry. I am a soldier. I won’t cry.’ I can’t tell that story without tearing up myself.”

Like Haas, Barabara Connolly, Hugo BTYR vice president, has also been with the group since it started. Connolly said volunteering with the group has made her a better person and increased her awareness of others’ needs.

“After my husband passed away, I was looking for a worthwhile organization to volunteer with,” said Connolly, whose husband had served in the Air Force Reserve for six years. “I really enjoy helping at the armories with the Family Days. There is so much to do, and everyone has a great time. Also, most of our packings are very memorable. Meeting all the wonderful people, both military and civilian, working together for a common cause.”

Army Sgt. Maj. Jen Chaffee, 347th Regional Support Group, and her family also volunteers with the Hugo BTYR. Chaffee and her veteran husband were first introduced to the group 13 years ago through its hunting events for veterans and service members. Afterward, she and her husband would contact the group whenever they knew of a service member who needed support.

“The Hugo BTYR has supported the units during multiple Family Day events, assisting families with gifts for the holidays, furniture, utility bills, more gift cards for gas than I can count, and family friendly hunting events,” Chaffee said. “For us, as a family, the Hugo BTYR has helped us with instilling values of service to others, giving back, commitment, and love and support for community.”  

Chaffee said the work of BTYR community networks, like Hugo’s, is important.

“They provide our military and their families immediate support while they wait for the services from the state to kick in if needed,” Chaffee said. “They also provide peace of mind to our military members when they are deployed through helping their families back home with things such as mowing the lawn, snow removal, and those unexpected repairs to appliances or other things that come up while they are away. The support from the BTYR networks during those times away, allow the military member to focus on their job at hand, so they can come back home to their loved ones.”

Army Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) Matt Deitner, 644th Regional Support Group at Fort Snelling, said BTYR networks provide valuable connections to resources and people who are willing to offer their time and knowledge to help others.

The Hugo BTYR supported Deitner’s family during his deployment.

“I had a plumbing issue while I was gone, and my wife didn’t know where to turn. She called Chuck and he took care of getting a plumber to the house and the network took care of the bill,” Deitner said. “We had a wooden toy rocking horse break and Chuck was able to connect with a woodworking hobbyist in the network who was able to help fix it and put a smile on my kids’ faces. It was also a huge help that my family was welcomed at their Burger Night to eat for free while I was deployed.”

In addition, Hugo BTYR sent care packages to Deitner’s unit during a deployment and later introduced him to pheasant hunting and other hunters. In return, Deitner pays it forward by volunteering at Hugo’s Burger Nights, packing care packages, and he even assisted with a tree removal for a veteran.

Scott Tacheny, Hugo BTYR’s secretary, and his wife Ann have been part of the network for 12 years. Tacheny’s father, stepfather, and father in-law served in the military. He and Ann became involved when one of their sons joined the National Guard. “So, joining was a great way of supporting his actions,” said Tacheny, who encourages others to also serve their community.

“Volunteering is not for the faint of heart. You often find yourself dealing with many things you are unfamiliar with or out of your control,” Tacheny said. “The first time I worked a meat raffl,e I was shocked by the large number of people who came out to the event and their generosity.  The first time we were involved in running a concession stand at a University of Minnesota football game was both terrifying and thrilling as well as exhausting and stimulating!”

Tacheny finds volunteering with the Hugo BTYR to be a rewarding experience. He enjoys the many heartfelt thanks from those who have benefited from their efforts.

“They are a true representation of their gratitude for the hard work and what we do as an organization,” Tacheny said. “I would encourage anyone who is looking to volunteer to consider the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon network. You will not be disappointed!”

For more photos from the anniversary celebration, visit the BTYR page on Facebook.

Story By: Cristina Oxtra

Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs

Photos By: Stefanie Hurt