only on decorahnews.com: Decorah company is gearing up program to move cars for military personnel

Alpine Transport co-owners Mike Feuerhelm and Sarah Christen

Decorah's Alpine Transport Inc. is working to put together a program called "Alpine Transport For Troops" that will help military personnel move their cars from town to town at affordable prices.

Company co-owners Ross Feuerhelm, Mike Feuerhelm and Sarah Christen say they have been working with a Chicago non-profit organization called "Leave No Veteran Behind."  Alpine intends to promote and help raise funds for Leave No Veteran Behind.

Having a non-profit organization handling the program allows donations from corporations and individuals, money that can be used to pay down the cost of vehicle transportation for the soldiers.

Mike Feuerhelm says Alpine Transport has been getting calls from soldiers for as long as the company has been in business.  But a soldier might not always have the money needed to pay someone to move a vehicle.

Ross Feuerhelm says Alpine hopes the program can work with many groups, businesses and individuals involved.  For instance, car dealerships or other businesses could offer the use of their properties as locations where a soldier's vehicle could be dropped off.  That would be important to lowering costs, so eight or nine vehicles could be transported at once, rather than just one.

Ross and Mike say they will use their contacts with car dealerships and transport companies to help line up volunteers for the program.  They're also drawing on their contacts with governmental officials--they've spoken to both Senator Charles Grassley and Congressman Tom Latham about the idea.  They say the Iowa Governor's Office, especially Joseph Rude, has been especially helpful.

"Transport for Troops" is not quite in operation yet, but should be soon.  Says Ross, "We hope to set an example for other businesses and our employees by simply being good corporate citizens."