VFW Veterans Village in Fort McCoy gets big donation, plans room upgrades and more
FORT MCCOY — Korean War veteran Frank Fleming is happy about the improvements slated for the 70-room Veterans of Foreign Wars Veterans Village living facility.
"I love it here," said Fleming, 91.
Upgrades underway for the individual rooms at the facility include replacement of mattresses, bedding, bathroom fixtures and televisions. It's all thanks to a recent donation of over $106,000 from the Department of Florida VFW Auxiliaries.
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The funds were garnered in a statewide 10-month-plus special project fundraiser spearheaded by Department of Florida VFW Auxiliary 2021-2022 President Tela Harbold.
The campaign exceeded expectations
The special project was dubbed “Bed, Bath and Beyond for Veterans Village.”
Most of the 137 VFW auxiliaries in the state participated in the fundraiser, Harbold explained in a phone interview from her home in Largo.
VFW auxiliaries held events like "You've Been Flagged" and placed American flags on lawns for a donation.
One auxiliary raised over $3,000 by placing flags, Harbold stated.
Harbold has visited VFW Veterans Village for many years and said she wanted to spearhead a project to raise funds to make improvements in the bedrooms and bathrooms in all 70 rooms.
“That's how I came up with an initial goal of $70,000," she said. The fundraiser went well beyond.
Laura Love, a member of the facility’s board of directors, served as chairperson of the fundraiser.
A ceremonial check – dated June 18, 2022, made out for $106,032.46 and signed by Harbold – was presented a few weeks ago to the facility director, Al Lugo, a retired Army lieutenant colonel.
“This is a blessing for staff and residents, to take care of our residents’ needs. The original wing of 35 rooms needed updating,” Lugo said.
Lugo said not all rooms need an extensive upgrade, so some funds will be left over to use for necessities like a group of 11 washers and driers.
Harbold said the facility is working with Ashley Home Furnishings on some materials.
Any balance remaining after the room upgrades will go toward upgrades in the common areas.
A great place to live
The VFW Veterans Village is open to VFW and VFW Auxiliary members and their spouses, according to facility literature.
According to vfw.org. VFW members must have an honorable service record and have served in a "war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil."
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary website (vfwauxflorida.org) indicates husbands and wives and other listed family members who meet other eligibility requirements can join the VFW Auxiliary.
Frank Fleming, an ammunition handler who served on the front lines in Korea, is known to play Big Band music and Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra tunes on the facility’s piano.
Kim Rath, with the Veterans Village, praised Fleming's musical stylings including his piano rendition of "(Somewhere) Over the Rainbow.”
Rath said Fleming can play the “Star-Spangled Banner” on flute.
Resident Mike Clark, 74, is a Marine Corps veteran from 1968 to 1971 and served in the Vietnam War.
On a recent day, residents John Leidig, 64, a Navy veteran with service in submarines; Bruce Fouts, 78, a veteran of the Seabees (Navy/Civil Engineer Corps); Carol Hladik and Helen Shearin looked over some of the items now stocked and ready for installation in the individual rooms.
"This is wonderful. We love it here (and the residents) are our family," Hladik said.
The VFW Veterans Village opened in October 1991 and provides affordable living for VFW members, according to facility literature.
There is “no age or state requirement,” but residents must be able to perform "acts of daily living," the literature states.
A list of amenities at the facility includes individually controlled air conditioning, phone, internet hook-up, cable television, library, fitness room, three daily meals and 24/7 staffed kitchen and available transportation, according to the literature.
Monthly room rates are $1,690 for couples and $1,490 for private/ single rooms, the literature indicates.
Facility Assistant Director Sharon Beam said there are currently about 50 residents.
Meanwhile, Hladik indicated the upgrades are much appreciated.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she said.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: VFW living facility in Marion County, Florida gets $106k donation
