The Harvey C. Noone American Legion Post Home in Churchville has been in continuous use in service to the Riga community and its veterans since the early 1950s, but members of the legion family team say the building “is beginning to show its age.”
The Post #954 Home on Buffalo Road was built with funds donated by Mary Noone, in memory of her son, Harvey, who was killed in combat in France during World War I.
“Repairs and associated expenses are on the increase,” Post Commander Gil Budd said. “We have taken a number of steps to address the situation, including launching a fundraising campaign and preparing and submitting a regional grant application to the Home Depot Foundation. We were thrilled to hear a couple of weeks ago that we have been awarded $3,600 for necessary repairs.”
The grant paid for replacement of wrought iron railings on front and back porches, replacement of stairs into the lower entrance, and the painting of various areas.
Budd said the Home Depot Foundation works with local stores to arrange for Home Depot employees to help with the labor. For the Riga Post Home project, David Shoemaker has been the team leader/contact person.
Work began in late October on the railing, stairs and painting project.
The members of Harvey C. Noone Post are committed to preserving the integrity and value of the Post Home as part of their efforts to honor those who have unselfishly served our country, Budd said. To help accomplish that goal, the Post has launched an Action Plan which includes the establishment of a separate “Roof and Maintenance Fund.” The Post roof is in need of replacement and Budd says community help is needed to fund the project.
“Given our history and mission of helping others, we began fundraising slowly, since we needed to come to terms with the idea that we needed to ask for assistance from others,” he says. “The Home Depot Foundation Grant and the generous support of our members to our internal appeal have given us the impetus to expand the fundraising appeal to the entire community and to look for creative ways to meet the challenges of addressing stewardship in the 21st century.”
So far, over $4,000 has been raised in addition to the $3,600 grant from the Home Depot Foundation.
Donations to the Roof and Maintenance Fund through the “Let’s Raise the Roof Donor’s Club” are welcome and checks can be made payable to Harvey C. Noone Legion # 954. Please put ROOF in the memo section. Donations may be made in honor or memory of someone. Those who make a donation of $20 or more will be recognized for their support. Contributions are tax deductible and can be mailed to: Harvey C. Noone American Legion #954, 6444 Buffalo Road, Churchville, NY 14428.
Budd said the Post Home has become the center of the Churchville/Riga community. “If it could only tell the tales of all it has seen – blood drives, scout meetings, Legion and Auxiliary functions, weddings, carnivals, baseball games, SCOR (Senior Citizens of Riga) meetings, Breakfast with Santa, Memorial Day services, Veterans Luncheon sponsored by the Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce, dinners for veterans from the Batavia VA Hospital and on and on. Riga was founded on four pillars – agriculture, education, religion and patriotism; the Legion and its Post Home have contributed to the pillar of patriotism standing strong and tall into the 21st century.”
