Revitalize VFW Post 7263 for Future Generations

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 My goal is to raise at least 125,000 dollars to support the revitalization of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7263 for Future Generations.

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.

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- $85,000 for Restroom Upgrades and Plumbing Repair. This phase will upgrade our very old and tired restrooms to modern standards, including adding sorely needed handicapped accessible facilities. Water and eco-friendly fixtures will save costs. At the same time, the failing cast iron plumbing will get upgraded and bring the building up to standard codes.

Phase 2- $25,000 for Kitchen Upgrade. This phase will upgrade the kitchen with new paint, countertops, and, depending on funding, new cabinetry..

Phase 3- $15,000 for Fire Suppression and Monitoring. This phase will add both fire sprinklers and an alarm system.

Phase 4- Bonus Improvements: After the first three phases are complete, any extra funding will go to exterior upgrades to include repaving the parking lot, new paint, and a Veterans Memorial Wall.

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.