CRESTVIEW — Home Depot volunteers and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450 members have begun renovations on the post’s West James Lee Boulevard location.
The post was awarded a $9,100 grant from Home Depot to remodel the building. “The Home Depot went above and beyond to help us out,” Trent Rundell, a 12-year member of the post, stated.
The post, which assists veterans and their families, was chartered in 1987 and has almost 500 members. “Our programs at our post … give our veterans and their families a place for camaraderie with other vets,” Scott Hice, post commander and a 22-year Air Force veteran, said.
The post also promotes military history with community youth programs. All VFW posts also sponsor the annual “Voice of Democracy” student essay contest. Last year the Florida state winner was from the area and won a $30,000 scholarship.
James “Polo” Cutts, the Fort Walton Beach Home Depot’s store manager, along with Laura Calvery, ASDA manager at the Fort Walton location, coordinated the Nov. 10 event with the VFW Post.
So, what’s next?
“Our plan is to remodel our current facilities. We will replace ceiling tiles and fans, doors and air conditioning units. We will also do new landscaping and paint inside and out,” Rundell said. An outside recreational space will be constructed for members to socialize.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VFW Post 5450 gets a makeover