Those donations added up to about $150.

That money was presented to representatives of Serving Our Servants on Sunday.

“Every Sunday they took a donation,” said TJ Pingel, president of Serving Our Servants. “They raised money all year. It was their way of giving back to SOS.”

SOS was founded by the late Rev. Al Henderson, who was the pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was also the chaplain to the Fort Dodge Police Department, Fort Dodge Fire Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office and District 7 of the Iowa State Patrol.

While Pingel knew the donation was coming, it was a surprise to most of the members of SOS who were at the church Sunday morning.

“It was pretty cool,” he said.

The presentation included a visit by some of the on-duty firefighters who came in a fire truck.

“The firefighters thought they were just coming to show off the truck,” Pingel said.

The donation came as SOS is getting closer to building a picnic shelter at John F Kennedy Memorial Park north of Fort Dodge as a tribute to Henderson.

It will be named the Pastor Al Pavilion. The insignia of the police and fire departments, sheriff’s office and Iowa State Patrol will be displayed at the pavilion.

A site near the park’s campground is being considered.

Pingel said the building materials will be ordered this month.

He said MC Concrete and Mechanico, two Fort Dodge companies, have offered to do the concrete work necessary for the pavilion.

“We can’t thank them enough,” he said.

Fundraiser planned

A June 14 fundraiser is planned to support the construction of the Pastor Al Pavilion at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.

It will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 14 at Shimkat Motor Co., 3126 Fifth Ave. S.

It will feature music by the duo of Sawyer Springer and Brant Lawler. Spencer Suchan will also perform.

A pork loin sandwich supper will be served.

“This will be a come and go, come as you are, come and enjoy some good music kind of event,” said TJ Pingel, president of Serving Our Servants.