Cape VFW kicks off fund-raising drive for new building

Since the 1930s, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau has been helping people, veterans and civilians alike. Every year they donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to the causes of a long list of organizations and individuals. But this year, the reassessment of an aging and increasingly inadequate building has led the members of the VFW to put themselves on that list.

A leaky roof, rising utility costs and an influx of new membership applicants have sent current members of the VFW building and fund-raising committees to the drawing board to design schematics for a new facility and organize a donation drive to help fund the $1.2 million dollar project. That drive kicks off this week.

"We can carry a certain amount of mortgage," said fund-raising committee chairman John Dragoni. "But we can't carry it all."

The original portion of the current building, the part closest to Kingshighway, used to be a bicycle shop and was built in 1947. Two other sections were built on in 1967 and 1981. Dragoni said the decision to raze the current structure came after weighing the estimated cost of replacing the roof and revamping the inefficient heating and cooling system.

"We've spent $100,000 trying to repair this roof," said VFW member Pete Rhodes, pointing up at the dark rings of the water-stained ceiling panels above the meeting hall. "If you had come in here on Saturday, you'd still see the buckets on the floor."

Rhodes said the estimate for replacing the roof and rewiring the utilities was in excess of $600,000, half the cost of an brand new building, which could simultaneously solve a growing dilemma the VFW faces with limited space for a growing membership.

Dragoni said Post 3838 receives five to 10 applications a month from veterans returning from action in Afghanistan, Iraq and other foreign countries. That swelling interest is more than the current hall's 10,000 square feet can accommodate. The proposed new building will cover 17,000 square feet and will feature amenities geared toward the modern veterans and their guests, such as an exercise room, computers, a classroom and a game room. It will also feature a larger general meeting space that can be partitioned into three separate rooms.

Pete Goodheart, who's in charge of the current building's upkeep, said that just as the organization helps veterans and civilians alike, both the current building and the new facility will continue to serve the entire community by hosting veteran's guests and public functions.

The proposed new brick and dryvit building will be constructed in the parking lot north of the current hall and will face south. Dragoni said ground will probably be broken in June.

"It will really complement the highway and be an asset to the entire town," said member and retired Col. Jerry Stauber. Stauber said that although the VFW will be putting a large portion of their time, energy and money toward the new endeavor, Post 3838 will continue its tradition of giving to veterans, charities and community members in need.

"Giving is part of our responsibility to the community," said Stauber.

trehagen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137