The Madison VFW Post 2096 has just launched a fundraiser to help begin exterior renovations for the organization’s Lovers Lane facility. Fortunately, donors and volunteers have come forward to address the most pressing challenge, but more help remains needed.

Commander Larry Brundrett, Jr., said that a new roof is a critical component of the organization’s future and a needed upgrade for its members and especially for users of the facility.

“The inside is pristine. We had several eagle scout projects over the years that helped turn the inside into a great space,” said Brundrett. “But this issue with the roof is threatening to ruin everything.”

Past post members often took on the various maintenance tasks and the loss in membership reflects that loss of craftsmanship, according to Brundrett. The current condition of the roof makes the space unrentable and the post is focused on its repair as quickly as possible.

“It has really hurt our source of revenue because we can’t rent out the space,” said Brundrett. “We just lost a renter because of this situation, so we really need to address this.”

Recent storms haven’t helped with the issue and the commander said that funds were needed quickly to prevent further damage and to fix the roof.

“Ultimately we will need over $100,000 for all of the improvements, so it isn’t cheap. The whole outside of the building needs repair. It’s a big job,” said Brundrett.

But help is on the way.

Just this week after a Hartford TV station broadcast their plight, the VFW received some welcome news. With the help of GAF Materials Corp. and Sevy Zaman a private citizen from Berlin and owner of Zaman Roofing, the VFW is now poised to have its roof repaired, free of charge.

According to Devin Lingan, a Madison resident and manager for GAF, GAF will donate all materials for the project.

“As soon as we heard about I knew I could help out in some way. It is great to be able to help our community,” said Lingan.

Zaman and his company will donate the labor for the roof and local contractor Mani’s Masonry of Madison has also donated the labor to repair an old chimney, which was the source of the original leak. Brundrett said the help was an unexpected, but an incredible relief for the post.

“This is awesome news. We are extremely grateful to GAF and to Zaman for their efforts. They are even going to replace the gutters. This means a great deal to the post and for the town,” said Brundrett. “We hope to have the work begin the weekend of Sept. 18 and be finished relatively soon.”

Another long-standing issue that hangs over the post and many VFWs both in-state and across the country is that memberships have been in decline for decades, according to Brundrett. The loss in membership is ultimately the root cause of closure for many VFWs. Brundrett is hoping that Post 2096 can stave off the tide and remain relevant to today’s veterans.

“We just lost a post in Danielson and posts in Killingworth and Westbrook have closed. We call it the ‘die off.’ The people who kept it running and going are dying off and we just don’t have new members who don’t want to pick it up,” said Brundrett.

As to why new members are hard to entice, Brundrett said that today’s veterans are simply different than in previous conflicts.

“I think today’s vets are preoccupied with family, they are getting married, and most seem to be going back to school to get an education on the G.I. Bill. They just have other priorities,” said Brundrett.

According to Brundrett, he hopes to eventually merge with the Clinton VFW and help keep both entities thriving.

“I would like to consolidate if possible. There are state and town issues that need to be looked at but I would like to merge,” said Brundrett.

Lisa Ostop. who rents the VFW kitchen for her baking business and also helped jump start the funding campaign. said the building is vital not just to her, but to the town as a whole.

“The VFW is a big part of the community. The really do a lot of community service, projects with the schools, scouts, they volunteer at the VA. It’s a place for the members to come together for the community,” said Ostop. “COVID kind of put a stop to their fundraising efforts and they really need some help here.”

The donation of the roof repair was incredibly generous, said Brundrett, however, the post still needs to raise a substantial amount of money for outside renovations including new windows and siding.

For information about facilities rentals or to make a donation, contact the Post 2096 at 203-245-9938 or mail a check to VFW Post 2096 85 Lovers Lane, Madison CT 06443.