By Shannon Lukens.
The Veterans Center in Steamboat Springs sends word that they are now just $87K shy of their $3M goal to rebuild and reconstruct the historic building in downtown Steamboat Springs. Here’s Veterans Center Vice President Bruce Hannon.
“We all like it when a plan comes together. We can start construction on July 4. In the afternoon, we’ll turn the building over to the contractor, and ten months from now we’ll have our own first-class Veterans Center.”
The Veterans Center building was built on Lincoln Ave. in 1898.
The veterans will host a party at the building after the 4th of July Parade for all veterans, donors, supporters, and friends who want to stop by, as they hand the building over to Spectrum Construction Company to start reconstruction.
The fundraising began in July 2023. So far, over 350 people and businesses have donated to the project. Donations are still being accepted through the Yampa Valley Community Foundation.
Donation Link through ColoradoGives.org
Another part of the project will be the hiring of a new Veterans Service Officer who will represent the Veterans Administration in facilitating veterans applying for benefits, help, and services. That Veterans Service Officer will be based in the building. The Board is hoping funding will allow the position to be a 40-hour per week job.
The Veterans Center’s purpose is to serve veterans, their generational family members, local community members, and visitors in Northwest Colorado by maintaining a prominent location in Steamboat Springs where all can celebrate a legacy of service to our country, concern for our veterans, and commitment to our community.
The Board of Directors of The Veterans Center of Northwest Colorado are Jeff Steck, Loretta Kuhlman, Joe Armstrong Sr,. Jim Stanko, Kent Fredrickson and Bruce Hannon.
Pictured: Kent Fredrickson, Bruce Hannon, Joe Armstrong Sr., and Jeff Steck.
Here’s more from Veterans Center Vice President Bruce Hannon; June 2024.
“Good Morning, Vietnam, I mean Routt County!!!!!!!!”
Yes, The Veterans Center is still on the capital hunt after 101/2 months of operation. We have raised just over $2,913,000. Of the $3,000,000 goal we set July 14, 2023. Construction costs have skyrocketed over the last years which is why we raised $3mm instead of the original estimate of build to be $2mm. We are almost to the peak and we want anyone who has been shy of us to help us get over the top. Remember, it’s for ALL veterans and their families in NW CO.
My heart was exploding with warmth last week when a couple who spend many months a year in town emailed me and asked to see the center, our plans, and ask me how they could help. That was easy, we just need a little more capital to reach our goal!
This couple came to the USofA as children fleeing oppression in their home country, they have worked very hard to achieve the American dream, have been very successful, and want to share as American citizens with those who have also fought for our freedoms, our soldiers, sailor, airmen, marines, coasties, and space forcers, and all the veterans of today. Freedom is not free, it has cost the country over 1 million men and women’s lives since our inception in 1776.
My wife of 55 years, Jane, says when people see me today, they run the other way because I am trying to raise capital from all. Yes, our board of working directors (5) are determined to build a first-class veterans center. Over 350 people, businesses, and Routt County Government, and UCH in Steamboat, and many foundations especially The Yampa Valley Community Foundation have been most generous. We also have many in kind donations of all values that have helped with our project.
So I sit here in reflection of Memorial Day, which honors all of our past war casualties who died in service to our country and in reality died preserving our freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America. Please help us create a “superstore” of veterans services in our soon-to-be historically renovated building at 924 Lincoln Ave. Steamboat. Veterans and armed forces personnel are only a few percent of our growing population, but suffer 100% of the deaths, wounds, PTSD, TBI and unusually high rates of cancer. We owe them more than one.
Our next big events are going to be on July 4th, First the parade, we invite all veterans in the area to walk with us, the American Legion and VFW perhaps wearing an old uniform or part of one. All vets are welcome. Second, the 7 a.m. Rotary Club is going to provide free hotdogs and sodas in front of the center at noon for everyone who is hungry. It’s an old tradition interrupted by Covid.
Then at 1 p.m., the whole veterans center community of supporters are invited to witness the board of directors chisel a brick or two out of the false front put in in 1957, and hand the building over to Spectrum Construction Company. Let the reconstruction begin!!!
We want to give a special “THANK YOU” to all our donors, supporters, and friends of ours who have joined together to create a serious service center to the veterans communities.
Thanks for reading this missile, I shortened it a lot, can u believe it?
BHannon
VP — TVC
Over and out!
Past Steamboat Radio News Coverage
- April 22, 2024 — THE VETERANS CENTER RECEIVES $500K DONATION FOR RENOVATION PROJECT
- March 9, 2024 — HAPPY 91ST BIRTHDAY TO VETERAN BUCK BUCKLAND
- Dec. 23, 2023 — ROUTT COUNTY VETERANS WELCOME ACTIVE MILITARY AT HOLIDAY HOMECOMING
- Dec. 4, 2023 — VETERANS CENTER BUILDING IS ADDED TO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
- Nov. 14, 2023 — THE VETERANS CENTER GETS $1M CHALLENGE MATCH GRANT
- Nov. 9, 2023 — ROUTT COUNTY VETERANS ARE HONORED FOR VETERANS DAY
- Sept. 14, 2023 — ROUTT COUNTY MILITARY VETERANS WILL BE HONORED WITH BANNERS ON LINCOLN AVENUE
- Sept. 12, 2023 — 9News Veterans work to restore historic building in Steamboat Springs
- Aug. 10, 2023 — LOCAL AMERICAN LEGION DONATES TO VETERANS CENTER
- July 12, 2023 — VFW IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS FUNDRAISING FOR REPAIRS TO DOWNTOWN BUILDING
- Oct. 16, 2022 — BANNERS OF MILITARY VETERANS LINE LINCOLN AVE.
- May 30, 2022 — MILITARY VETERANS GATHER IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS FOR MEMORIAL DAY