VFW Post 7800 is seeking donations to help repair its nearly 100-year-old building, originally constructed in 1927.
Post Commander Donald Cockram said the building’s primary issues are deteriorating flooring and aging gas heaters.
“In the conference room by the fireplace, there are actual spots in the floor where, when you step on it, you can feel the floor sink beneath your foot. We definitely need some flooring,” he said.
The kitchen floor is also bowing due to water damage sustained over the winter.
“Everything in there is just old and outdated. It needs a good facelift,” Cockram said.
He estimates flooring repairs will cost around $10,000. Replacing the gas heaters, which “pop, crack, and make all kinds of noises when they’re burning in the wintertime,” will raise the total cost to approximately $30,000. The Post currently has about $2,500 in the bank for renovations.
“I’d hate to see one of them blow up,” he said of the heaters.
In addition to serving as a meeting place for veterans, Cockram said Post 7800 also helps veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Monthly support group meetings are held at Stagecoach on Main Street to provide guidance and connection.
“We’re there to help direct them,” Cockram said. “I was told in our last district meeting that we at the post cannot fill out disability claims for veterans, but we can direct them to the people they need to talk to and definitely tell them to keep away from the sharks.”
The post also looks for ways to serve the wider community. Cockram said members regularly discuss outreach projects during monthly meetings.
“For example, we went down and cleaned up an overgrown cemetery for the Day of Service. We’ve also adopted VFW Road through the state program, so we make sure the road stays clean and looking good,” he said.
In addition, the post presents certificates and monetary awards to students who participate in the VFW scholarship essay contest, recognizes the District 5 Teacher of the Year, and sponsors other community service initiatives.
Cockram said he’s occasionally encountered negative stereotypes about VFW members.
“I’ve had people tell me VFW members sit around, drink, tell war stories, and talk bad about their wives,” he said. “I told them, ‘Well, I don’t know what VFW Post you were at, but I guarantee you that doesn’t happen at our Post.’ Most of that stuff we want to leave behind us. We’re there to help veterans any way we can.”
Donations can be mailed to: VFW Post 7800, P.O. Box 333, Stuart, VA 24171.
The post is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donors will receive a tax receipt. For more information, call Cockram at (276) 222-0634.
