The long-awaited first renovation phase of the VFW Post 1’s Veteran Community Center has started – all thanks to the critical capital campaign grants from the Daniels Fund, Boettcher Foundation, Gates Family Foundation and from the support of the community with fundraisers, grants, in-kind, and cash donations with sweat equity by Veterans.

At the end of December 2020, 24 Veterans with an average age of 52 (including three in their 70s!) donated their weekend to remove the old floor in the back of the 128-year-old building. New electrical and pipe will be laid along with a finished concrete floor. This effort saved $7,200 in demolition costs, thus bringing sweat equity savings of approximately $260,000 by way of five “GI Working Parties”.

The project’s first phase will focus on infrastructure, life and safety features, code compliances, ADA and HVAC improvements, with expected completion in the spring of 2021.