McCleary VFW post gets a face-lift

Nearby playground also benefits from Comcast Cares Day efforts

The McCleary Veterans of Foreign War post got a face-lift recently with help from Comcast Corp. employees and their families and friends.

On May 4, more than 200 people from around Grays Harbor helped post members make repairs and upgrades to the building. A release from the company states that volunteers taking part in “Comcast Cares Day” removed bricks from the front of the post, replaced a leaking exterior portions of the building and installed new siding.

“The brick was literally falling apart,” McCleary VFW post commander Jay Biggs said. Work continues to paint the building. A fundraising effort is underway to help pay for the repairs, Biggs said. Updates, as they become available, will be posted on the post’s Facebook page — facebook.com/vfwpost5564.

Plans are in place to construct an outdoor barbecue or fire pit and beer garden on post property with the bricks removed from the front of the building.

Beerbower Park, which is across Veterans Way from the post, also benefited from the volunteers’ efforts. New wood chips were spread over the playground area.

Volunteers also assembled aid packs for homeless veterans in the area. The 20 packs constructed included donated items like clothing and toiletries.

The post is “the biggest community center in McCleary, and we’re trying to keep the doors open and keep it looking decent,” Biggs said.

This was the 18th year for the company’s volunteer effort, which is conducted across the country.

Comcast Washington Senior Vice President Amy Lynch said in the release, “we are proud to work alongside these deserving veterans to make their post — and our community — a better place for everyone. Together we can make a difference and that is what Comcast Cares Day is all about.”

Volunteer AJ Andrade helps repair a post May 4 at the McCleary VFW post as part of Comcast Corp.’s Comcast Cares Day. A post leader said about 200 people showed up to do work around the building. (Photo courtesy Comcast Corp.)

Volunteer AJ Andrade helps repair a post May 4 at the McCleary VFW post as part of Comcast Corp.’s Comcast Cares Day. A post leader said about 200 people showed up to do work around the building. (Photo courtesy Comcast Corp.)