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09/28/2021 04:48 PMMany residents may not be aware that they drive past a hidden community asset every day. The town’s American Legion Hall Griswold Post #79 is busy at work renovating its Bradley Road facility with new façade, roof, and access ramp so that the town can once again take pride and use this unique space.
However, Post #79 still needs community support to begin and complete the interior phase of construction.
Post Commander Charlie Corso has been leading the charge to secure funding so that the building can achieve its goal to become a reliable resource for community events and American Legion activities.
Corso said the current fundraising drive has been going well and the outside is nearing completion. The current work includes a new roof, a new façade, and a wheelchair-accessible ramp.
However, Post #79 still has a long way to go to bring the inside of the 1936 building back to its glory days.
“It has been very successful so far. Most of the donations are coming from Madison community,” said Corso. “The outside renovation, which needed about $200,000 is almost there. Phase II, which is the inside, will need close to $150,000 to complete.”
Corso said the post hasn’t begun actively soliciting for the Phase II section of the project, but will gladly accept donations of any kind to assist in the effort to renovate.
According to Corso, the outside phase is expected to wrap up by the end of October just before the winter season hits and Post #79 expects to begin the inside phase shortly after.
“We have the outside almost complete and are looking at it being completed by late October. Then Phase II will start immediately after Phase I completes,” Corso said.
According to Corso, the American Legion is not just a veterans organization, it is a vibrant and critical charitable community resource. Just some of the past organizations and users that Post #79 has hosted and supported include Daniel Hand High School events, serving as a civic meeting facility, hosting Girl Scout and Boy Scout functions, and supporting the Madison Food Bank. Post #79 also offers college scholarships.
“The American Legion, in addition to being a vets’ organization, is also a community service organization and a community outlet. We have the largest-capacity rentable hall in town that isn’t a public building. We usually don’t charge for non-profits, but we can rent to civic groups, weddings, receptions—pretty much anything,” said Corso.
Corso stressed the importance of the American Legion and organizations like it that may not be recognized for the critical role they play in a community.
“This building is a real asset to the town. It is not just for vets but for the entire community. Out campus is now united in style and area with the Senior Center and it really fits in with the area,” said Corso.
The hall has a deceptively large capacity for 165 people and has facilities, chairs, and tables to accommodate most functions.
To donate to the effort or if interested in renting or using the facilities, call Post #79 at 203-245-153. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to the American legion Renovation Fund, P.O. Box 504 Madison, CT 06443.