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As Director of Fundraising, I am a member and volunteer for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7263 located at 2259 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz, California.
https://vfw7263.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp Our goal is to raise at least 125,000 dollars to support the revitalization of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7263 for Future Generations. As of 15 May 2026 we have reached 40% of our goal. With your help we can reach 100% of our goal by the end of the year.
The Post was founded on May 15, 1946, in the town of Capitola by the Sea by a group of World War II veterans. In 1955, they purchased a building and moved it to the current location at 2259 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz, California.
Over time, the original building was expanded to include a commercial kitchen, restrooms, a canteen (bar), a walk-in cooler, a picnic area, and a covered barbecue area. Post 7263, through this facility, has been serving veterans and local residents in making a difference in our community.
Here are just some examples of how VFW Post 7263 has supported the community over the last 10 years.
- The Post supported the Santa Cruz Homeless Shelter Program from 2016 through 2020 to the end of COVID. Called the winter shelter program, it started in mid-November and ran through April or May each year, depending on the weather.
- Between August and September 2020, the Post housed displaced families of the Santa Cruz Mountains CZU Fires.
- In 2021, the Post supported a homeless shelter program for Santa Cruz County. It also assisted the homeless to transition into paid employment.
- The Post regularly supports the Veterans Outreach Program of Santa Cruz County to provide weekly hot meals to homeless and down-and-out veterans.
- During the last holiday season, the Post delivered 33 turkeys to needy citizens living at a local homeless shelter.
- The Post supports Toys for Tots each holiday season.
- The Post supports Project Hero California. They help Veterans and First Responders affected by PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and physical injury achieve rehabilitation and recovery.
- Post members regularly conduct burial ritual service for recently deceased veterans for grieving but appreciative family members.
- The Post regularly hosts Boy Scout events.
- Each year, the Post hosts a youth essay competition in Santa Cruz and awards Certificates of Accomplishment and prizes to student winners in middle and high school.
- Each year, the Post honors a Teacher of the Year and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year with Certificates of Appreciation and financial awards.
In addition to the public service provided, the Post serves as a low-cost venue for the public to host birthday parties, quinceañeras, weddings, music nights, and other community events. Many in the community have positive memories of their celebrations spent in the VFW hall.
After seven decades of service, the building is tired and in need of a major refurbishment and repair to support our veterans and local community for the next 70 years. The fundraising is prioritized to support the following phases of refurbishment and repair:
Phase 1- $90,000 for Restroom Remodel and Plumbing Upgrades. This phase is near completion, and we have raised $50,000 so far. We need approximately $40,000 more to pay for the final cost of completion.
Phase 2- $30,000 for Kitchen Upgrade. This will include a new stove ($6,000), new refrigerator ($3,000), countertops ($8,000) and cabinet refurbishment ($13,000). If you are interested, you may donate to a specific kitchen project.
Phase 3- $5,000 for a Fire Monitoring and Alarm System.
Phase 4- Any funds beyond our $125,000 goal will be used to enhance our building and facilitate outreach to veterans and the community.
Long Term Vision: Once all the improvements are made, the Post will work to develop itself as a home for local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) services. The Post will serve as a hub for community services as well as a training location for VFW and community members who would like to receive training to help their neighbors in the event of a natural or human-caused disaster.
Fundraising is taking place under the auspices of The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California Foundation, which is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The foundation is committed to supporting programs that improve the lives of veterans, active duty military personnel, their families, and their communities. https://www.vfwcafoundation.org/
Any dollars donated will go directly from the Foundation to the Post 7263 Fundraising Campaign. Donors will get a tax-deductible receipt for their giving.
Organizer