Military veterans are once again reaching out to the public for help in renovating a home for a former soldier in need.
The Willie B. Hatcher American Legion Post No. 516 in McDonough is raising funds to fix up a home in Henry County. Legion members recently learned that the two-story house, at 124 Jonesboro Road in McDonough, was in need of numerous repairs, said Legion Special Projects Manager, Eddie Felton.
“The stairs were rotten,” said Felton. “We went in to replace the stairs and got those done, but there was other work that needed to be done. The siding on the front and the back of the house needs to be replaced. We don’t know until we get in if other things will need to be replaced or repaired.”
Legion members learned about the needs at the house last month. The home, said Felton, belongs to Army veteran Gary Eugene Casey, who served in Vietnam and is now wheelchair-bound.
Felton said Casey’s living arrangements are problematic for several reasons.
“One of the things that is unfortunate is that he lives in the basement of the house,” said Felton, adding that Casey’s wife lives upstairs in the home. “We’ve got to see if there’s any way possible that he will be able to getup to the main house. He comes into the garage daily, and the garage door is basically gone. We are trying to get someone to donate a garage door or funding so we can replace that garage door.”
Legion members began working on the home last month, shortly after completing a renovation for a home in Hampton. The organization is continuing to assess various needs in the Casey home.
Felton added that the back patio of the house needs to be replaced because the floor is rotting, and that tree limbs near the home need to be cut down.
The American Legion has established a fundraising goal of $20,000. However, said Felton, time is of the essence in completing the project.
“We’re trying to get as much done as possible by Veterans Day, which is November 11,” said Felton. “What better way to honor a veteran/hero than by having him and his family live comfortably?”
For more information on the renovation effort, call Eddie Felton at 239-770-7132.
