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Community Corner

Mercer Island's Historic VFW Hall Gets "Operation Restoration"

The veterans of VFW Post 5760 on Mercer Island are hoping to have renovations to the historic Keewaydin Clubhouse completed by July of next year, just in time for the building's 90th anniversary

When long time Mercer Island residents Judy and Erick Leithe heard that the historic landmark was in dire need of a new roof, siding and windows, they started putting together an auction to raise the funds right away for Operation Restoration.

“The veterans had never had an auction before, they kept the place going with money from rentals (of the clubhouse),” said Judy Leithe “But I look at it like they are still on the front lines—it makes for a better community if people support and thank the local veterans for risking their lives for us.”

The auction, which took place on Oct. 22 at the , offered a silent auction and live auction and a catered dinner at $150 a plate. About 160 attendees bid on items such as a Sun Valley vacation condo, a dinner at Canlis Restaurant, several bottles of fine French wine, signed jerseys from the Seattle Sounders and a cruise from Holland America Line. The auction raised $110,000, so far, with money still coming in from donations and purchases.

“So many people were generous once they found out it was for the VFW Hall, because many people have used it for weddings and meetings and events, and everyone knows that the building was built in 1922 by local residents as a social club,” said Leithe. “Mercer Island residents ran it until 1966, when the veterans bought the Keeywaydin Clubhouse and they’ve run it ever since, so now it’s on the national and state historical registers.”

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But when it became obvious that the roof was 30 years past it’s replacement date, and the uninsulated building had holes in the siding big enough to put your hand through, as well as the original windows needing reglazing, the VFW vets realized they’d have to start fundraising and finding grants, because the rental money wouldn’t cut it for finding a contractor who specializes in historical renovation.

The Keeywaydin Historic Preservation Project is a multi-year initiative started in 2009, and encompasses Operation Restoration. Grant funds were awarded to the VFW Post 5760 last year by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and when added to the auction funds, the project is starting Phase 1 in the next three months.

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“We’re exploring individual contractors who specialize in historic restoration, who meet the US Dept of the Interior’s restoration standards, a high rating with the Better Business Bureau and have a great body of historical preservation work to show us,” said Gary Winterstein, Commander of the VFW Post 5760. “We will come to a decision by April, the contract will start in June, and ideally you’ll have the roof and siding done by July 2012.”

Leithe noted that she hopes that more funds will come in to replace other parts of the iconic building.

“My hope would be that more money would be donated to go toward replacing the wooden foundation,” she said “It’s not up to today’s standards and building codes.” When all the repairs are completed next year, Leithe hopes to have a 90th Anniversary celebration at the clubhouse. “Everyone had such a grand time at this social event (the auction), that I felt it brought the Island together,” she said. “People were pleased to be a part of something that cares for our veterans and the VFW Hall, and I think that anything that brings people together as a community is just wonderful.”

Historic preservation grants are still needed; for more information on how you can help the VFW please contact the clubhouse at 206-232-6390 or by email at vfw.5760@gmail.com.

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