CARIBOU, Maine — Members of American Legion Post 15 are making progress on the restoration of their 68-year-old building on Sweden Street, but are still looking for donations to complete the project.
Cuppy Johndro, one of the committee members responsible for the Legion Hall restoration, has a long list of accomplishments already met on the project.
“We have gotten the paint done and put the trim in,” Johndro said July 20, adding that members have bought tar to fix the roof and installed larger TV’s with the help of a $1,500 grant from Walmart. Jhondro said many of the Legion members are older and might have difficulty viewing the old, small televisions.
“The new ones are 50-inch, she said.
Members of American Legion Post 15 in Caribou are making progress on the restoration project of their 68-year-old building on Sweden Street. These ceiling tiles, however, still need replacing.
(John O’Meara)
Many folks have said the improvements make the Legion Hall unrecognizable, she said.
“It looks amazing,” said Johndro. “People are liking what we are doing.”
Attendance at various events also has increased since the restoration project began.
“It was in sad shape,” before the project began, stated Johndro.
The committee dedicated to the restoration consists of Diane Allen, Becky Dixon, Jack Dixon, Wayne Little, and Johndro.
The next phase of the project involves raising $5,000 to level the floor and replace aging tiles with vinyl flooring. So far, $3,800 has been raised.
When applying for grants, Johndro learned that the American Legion is classified under the Internal Revenue Service Code as a 501 (c)19 organization, which makes it ineligible for some types of grants.
Undeterred, Johndro and other committee members have applied for a grant for flooring from Lowes and are waiting hear if they will be approved. The process can be lengthy but “ we’re hoping they pick us for the flooring,” she said.
Several area businesses and individuals also have donated money or goods to the restoration project. For instance, Sherwin Williams donated 26 gallons of paint and S.W. Collins donated spray for the improvements.
Members of American Legion Post 15 in Caribou are making progress on the restoration project of their 68-year-old building on Sweden Street. The next phase of the project involves raising $5,000 to level the floor and replace aging tiles like these with vinyl flooring.
(John O’Meara)
Johndro also recounted how one individual donated $100 while talking with Jhondro at a restaurant for the purchase of a flag decal for a corner of the hall.
Johndro emphasized that the Legion Hall is a place where many community events take place.
The building has been a fixture in Caribou since 1950, giving residents and community organizations a place to socialize, host parties, weddings, and baby showers. In addition, the post hosts bingo on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
“It’s a community place,” said Johndro.
As she discusses the restoration effort, she exudes enthusiasm for the future of the hall, explaining that there will be bingo for kids and other projects in the future. Johndro also admits that the restoration hasn’t been easy.
“It’s a lot of work,” she said.
Johndro hopes to have the flooring and ceiling parts of the project ready early in 2019.
For more information about the project or how to donate, visit the Legion page on Facebook or call 492-6931.
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- Members of the American Legion Post 15 in Caribou have embarked on a project to renovate the building located on Sweden Street. (Christopher Bouchard)
