American Legion in Newton seeking donations to repair roof, parking lot

Old age is catching up to the more than 100-year-old American Legion Post 111, whose current headquarters has resided in Newton since the 1970s and is now in need of a roof replacement and parking lot overlay. To pay for the repairs, the post’s veterans are seeking donations, with a goal to raise $60,000 this summer.

Jerry Nelson, the post commander, said the last time the asphalt parking lot was treated was about 20 or 25 years ago. And the roof of the headquarters had been repaired a number of times but otherwise has not seen substantial work for about 30 years. Both pieces of infrastructure are just “worn out,” Nelson said.

Although the roof is not leaking yet, legion members do not want to see it get to that point. Eventually, the water will find its way through the shingles and into the interior. Nelson said with as many storms Newton has had so far, the post is fortunate enough to not have any water damage.

“But I think we might be pushing our luck with the old roof,” he said, noting the parking lot has also been affected by weather over the years. “If it’s concrete, it’s going to get hard and it’s going to break. We want to have more events where we bring motorcycles, and it’ll make it a little easier to park (with a new lot).”

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American Legion Post 111 held its fifth annual chili cook-off Feb. 19 at its 101 W. Fourth St. St. facility in Newton. In addition to serving bowls of hot chili to guests, the cook-off acted as a fundraiser for the American Legion. Proceeds from the cook-off will directly benefit repairs to the American Legion's roof and parking lot.

GRANTS & FUNDRAISERS WILL HELP REACH GOAL

To pay for the infrastructure repairs, the post is organizing numerous fundraisers throughout the spring and summer. Kicking off the upcoming series of fundraising events was the annual chili cook-off in February, which raised about $2,000-$2,200 in donations and cook-off sales.

Mady McKim, historian and social media manager, said the post has currently raised $3,750 towards the building maintenance. There is still a long way to go, but post leaders have set up a thermometer to mark the progress of donations. She said it will be moved near the entrance so patrons can see the progression.

Other fundraisers like meat bundle raffles, car washes and a rifle raffle are in the works. In the meantime, the post will continue its usual events, like its free meals to veterans on the Fourth of July. McKim is even playing with the idea of hosting a carnival. No idea is off the table.

McKim said staff at the Newton Correctional Facility are also going to hold a fundraiser for the American Legion Post 111. For the entire month of April, staff will collect donations. McKim was “tickled pink” to hear the local correctional institution wanted to help.

In addition to donations, Nelson said the post will also be seeking grants to help reduce the costs of materials, a challenge for almost any project at the moment.

PROGRAM FUNDS IN GOOD STANDINGS

Some infrastructure may be a little worse for wear, but Nelson affirms the post’s financials are still strong. The American Legion Post was fortunate to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, and the individual funds for all of its programs are in good standing.

“Our scholarship funds are sitting good, our flags are good, our care packages are sitting amazing,” Nelson said. “We got to looking at everything and decided this year all our fundraisers will be for the maintenance of the building. Get it to look nice and be comfortable for everyone to come in and out with no issues.”

Nelson said the post has been lucky to have great fundraisers in the past where many people in the community donated to the facility. The community has always been there for the post and its veterans. Nelson said the support is appreciated, and members are never going to squander what they receive.

“For care packages, every dollar that’s donated in that avenue, that’s where that goes. We don’t move stuff around. If they say, ‘We want this money for the honors teams,’ it’s going to the honors teams,” Nelson said. “We’ve got a pretty good flow of funds in those right now.”

But the area members are most concerned with is the building.

HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY HELP?

The post’s bar is open to all, not just veterans. In 2015, members remodeled the interior of the facility to increase the appeal to all patrons, but especially the younger veterans that are harder to come by. Nelson stressed the post’s importance to veterans in Newton. It creates and fosters community.

For some veterans, the post is their first step to receive resources or is the guiding light to assistance. Nelson said members have helped veterans with home repairs, moving and other types of neighborly dues. Members do not just take care of their club, they take care of their veterans and their community.

Keeping the building in tip-top shape is crucial to the longevity of the American Legion in Newton, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2019. There is a wide spectrum of people who are involved in the post, Nelson said, and they want to continue that work with younger veterans.

“When we hand this (building) to the next generation of folks coming in, we want to hand them a facility that’s ready to go and a bank account that’s going to sustain them,” Nelson said. “We don’t want to leave some of the messes some other folks have walked into in the past.”

To donate to the post or volunteer in an event, call the American Legion Post at 641-792-3353 or contact a member through the facility’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/newtonpost111. Checks can also be mailed to 1101 W. Fourth St. S., Newton, IA 50208.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com