About Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2024)
COMMUNITY Home Depot Foundation donates $25,000 to rebuild American Legion Post *»"* wr» -■ i, ja PkSmwm 3 America*^ Ltgiov^ FosAZO7 PAV TO THE ORDER 0F_ TWHWTY-RVE THOUSAND DOLLARS AND OO/tOO DOLLARS MEMO 2024 OptroAcOrv Tkc- How-e Depot Ftn^-uie-ficnv AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE Anthony Mathis (left) and Scott Brady (far right) shown with Home Depot Foundation members, received $25,000 for the American Legion Post #207. (Photo by Cathy Cobbs). KENDRA JR - David Kendrick Jr. said he wants to help bring mental health services to veterans in places like the 207. (Photo by Cathy Cobbs) Home Depot volunteers were on the ground to help improve the property. (Photo by Cathy Cobbs). By Cathy Cobbs On the morning of Nov. 8, more than 200 Home Depot employees, as part of The Home Depot Foundation’s national Operation Surprise campaign, gave Tucker’s American Legion Post #207 a much-needed push in its efforts to recover from a 2019 fire that destroyed the structure. Home Depot workers created a handicapped-accessible community garden and outdoor gathering spaces, assembled outdoor furniture sets, built a fire pit, installed fencing, and made various landscaping improvements. And then there was the surprise: Home Depot Foundation’s Executive Director Erin Izen presented the post with a new game patio and a $25,000 donation. “I’m stunned. I’m overwhelmed and I an never stop going to stop smiling,” said Tucker resident and former Marine Scott Brady whose “Save the Seven” committee have been working to rebuild the post and transform it into not only a meeting place but a community resource for veterans and their families. “I can’t believe they are giving more after what they did today,” Brady said. “This will give us the money to continue on as we finish out the building and get closer to completing our vision.” Home Depot Chief Executive Officer Ted Decker said the American Legion’s mission aligns perfectly with Home Depot’s goal to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans. “It was a pretty perfect combination with our core values in wanting to partner with our local communities to give back,” Decker said. During the day, Home Depot volunteers installed 683 plants and constructed 47 pieces of furniture using 1,000 pieces of cut lumber. Brady said the infusion of materials and labor has “provided us the oxygen to keep going.” The post is still seeking about $200,000 to finish interior construction in order to become operational. Post 207 Adjutant Christopher Morley called the effort to rebuild the post “a phoenix project.” “We literally came from the ashes and now we are focused on opening our doors in Q2 of 2025,” Morley said. “We are looking for multiple sources of funding so we can make this a reality.” The rebuilding of the post was almost scrapped after a 2019 fire that gutted the 70-year-old building. The rebuilding process was plagued with disaster, including the refusal of the post’s insurance company to pay out and the Join us to celebrate the birth of our Savior! Christmas Eve Masses 3:00 pm Church 3:15 pm Gym 5:00 pm Church 5:15 pm Gym 7:00 pm Church (Spanish Mass) 10:00 pm Church (Choralprelude at 9:30pm) Christmas Day Masses 9:00 am 12:00 pm 6:30 pm (Brazilian Mass) See more about us at Judeatl.com | V I ■ jlS ■ Kir'*2 ML;. 1 4 u| 2II 161 DECEMBER 2024 ROUGHDRAFTATLANTA.COM
