John Cornelius only works about six months out of the year, but he puts more than one year’s worth of energy into his job.

Cornelius is passionate about American veterans, especially disabled veterans who need to check into the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Prescott. Every year on Memorial Day, Cornelius starts his campaign to raise money in the Sedona area to give to the veterans. This year, his goal is $30,000.

“I want to raise enough money so our veterans who have to be in the hospital can have some extras and maybe some luxuries — items the government doesn’t provide,” the 93-year-old U.S. Army veteran said as he sat just inside a Village of Oak Creek grocery selling raffle tickets — the main source of the money he raises — on Flag Day, Tuesday, June 14.

Vladimyr Valcourt, assistant manager for public affairs for the medical center said the money Cornelius raises pays for items in a welcome kit, including a comforter for veterans who are admitted to the hospital. The money also buys toiletries; T-shirts, socks and underwear; newspapers and magazines; telephone cards; and writing paper, envelopes and postage.

“We also use the money to buy DVD movies, and are able to provide a night’s stay for family members who live far away and come here to visit,” Valcourt said. “John is probably the most important donor we have. Without him we wouldn’t be able to do some of things we can now. We all need a lot more people like him.”

Cornelius said some of the money will pay for birthday and Christmas gifts, plus occasional parties throughout the year.

“Sometimes we have clowns come in to entertain,” he said.

Cornelius’ campaign will continue through Pearl Harbor Day on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

“That’s when we have the drawing for all those marvelous prizes,” Cornelius said.

Other events are planned in between, such as Monday, July 4, at the grocery store where there will be a barbecue and Monday, Sept. 5, for Labor Day.

“I go around to the golf courses and sell raffle tickets, too,” Cornelius said and waved a few in the air. “I wanted a golf tournament but couldn’t arrange a good enough deal to make it beneficial for everybody.”

The Prescott VA serves approximately 24,000 veterans in Northern Arizona at its main building and satellite offices. A few hundred have been admitted to the hospital or live in a connected building, Public Affairs Specialist Jessica Schiefer said.

“John’s fundraiser helps our veterans here and can benefit all of them,” she said.

Cornelius said he is always amazed at the generosity of the community from businesses that donate prizes to people who buy the raffle tickets, especially when he tells them the money benefits veterans.

“We have lots of prizes from all over, even from out of state,” Cornelius said. “Ed Lajala and David Johnson help me with all of this. They are the backbone of my work.”

Cornelius joined the U.S. Army in 1940 after he was turned down by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy because he had buck teeth. He served five years in North Africa and Italy with the 85th Infantry Division.