Medford VFW post announces more than $80,000 raised so far
Fundraising efforts are underway for a new meeting place and hall for the Medford VFW Post No. 5729.
The post’s current building located on Hwy 13 just south of the Medford Plaza, was placed there in 1953 and includes a meeting room and bar on the first floor and a dining room and kitchen in the basement. It measures about 4,600 square feet on the two levels, however with the stairs and the age of the building much less of it is useable due to accessibility.
The new facility will be built toward the rear of the VFW’s current lot and will be about 5,000 square feet on a single level to be fully accessible. According to VFW member Jeff Hein, who is on the planning committee for the new building, the plan calls for keeping the existing building in use through as much of the construction as possible.
Plans for the new building are currently being finalized and are expected to be completed by the end of March. The goal is to do the fundraising for the $1.5 million project in 2024 with hopes to break ground in spring of 2025 and have it completed by Veterans Day 2025.
Hein and post commander BillVach said the support from the community has been positive with about $80,000 raised already mostly from small, individual donors.
Hein said he has applied for over 100 corporate and private grants and is waiting to hear back. In addition to the grant applications and appeal for community support, the VFW is hosting a number of other fundraising activities over the next year including a cash raffle with $100 tickets with only 300 tickets to be sold. The tickets are available at the VFW Post. They will also be holding a golf outing again this summer along with the UTV ride held in late summer. In addition, the VFW Post is working with Red Higgins at the Taylor County Fair to hold a grandstand concert on the Thursday night of the fair at 7 p.m. with a “Tribute to the Legends of Country Music” with proceeds from the concert going to the building project.
According to Hein, the current building, with its accessibility issues, no longer meets the needs of the veterans community. With a single level, fully accessible building, the local post will be able to host more events and outreach opportunities for veterans as well as better serving the entire community.
The new hall space will seat between 150 and 200 people, expanding opportunities in the community for a gathering place for things such as receptions and class reunions. The plans include a prep-kitchen for events for caterers to use.
Vach said a goal in the project was to make sure they had a space that met the needs of younger members. VFW’s primary focus is to serve the members of the veterans community. He said this is a facility that will last the Medford VFW post into the next century.
In addition to being a gathering place for the VFW, the local American Legion and Auxiliary groups will continue to meet there. The new space will also increase access to the medical equipment lending program that is run by the post and serves the community.
Representatives from the VFW and American Legion will be at the Medford Area Chamber of Commerce Home and Business Expo in Medford at the end of the month to answer questions about the project.
Individuals and businesses interested in making a tax deductible donation to the project may contact Hein at jhein24@yahoo.com or 715-965-6264.
