Chatham VFW Post Looks to the Community for Help

COURTESY OF VFWCHATHAM.ORG

CHATHAM – The Brown-James-Buck VFW Post in Chatham faces financial challenges and is looking to the community for help.

Declining private membership and expenses for liquor liability insurance and building upkeep have caused the organization to struggle.

The building is also facing about $200,000 in capital improvement projects to the George Ryder Road facility, including a hook up to the town’s sewer system, a repair of the leaking roof, residing, the installation of an elevator and other improvements to the function hall.

The VFW has turned to the Chatham Chamber of Commerce to help raise funds and awareness.

“They immediately came on board and are completely interested in moving the VFW and its health forward,” said Carl Rostek, the operations manager for the VFW.

Lisa Franz, the executive director for the Chatham Chamber of Commerce is working to spread awareness, including setting up a website for the facility at www.vfwchatham.org. They are also helping to organize a capitol campaign kickoff event on November 11, “Raise the Roof,” which will include a buffet dinner and music.

Rostek said the outdated function hall is having trouble attracting enough events to the post.

“It was built to accommodate 80 to 90 people at the max for a function,” he said. “Now a days weddings and such events are 150 to 160 or more.”

The VFW recently became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and can now accept tax-deductible donations which can be sent to VFW Post 8607, 150 George Ryder Road, Chatham, MA 02633.

“The general idea is that this place is a dark club that people sit around and tell war stories,” Rostek said. “It’s a bright, functional, very pleasant place to come and visit and the prices are reasonable.”

Rostek said those running the VFW are stewards for the all of the people and commanders listed on the walls and the 400 members of the community who died in World Wars I and II.