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Danville area veterans and their supporters gathered at the town meeting hall Saturday afternoon to toast those who have donated to the ongoing renovation of the Veterans Memorial Building. Originally built in 1925, the town of Danville is expanding and upgrading the facility for use by various groups.
“It’s really heartwarming for me to see the community come out for veterans. This community has the heart to support its soldiers and my hat’s off to you,” said Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-11).
The invitation-only pre-opening gala invited donors who had pledged $1,000 or more to tour the Veterans Hall and bid on a wide variety of auction items from local businesses. Although the town committed to $6 million, donations are still needed to see the $8 million project to completion in late January or early February. A private party donated $200,000 to the project on the condition that the town raises $2.5 million.
“$1.1 million has already been raised,” Stepper told the Express last month. “But, we need to raise another $1.4 million to reach our goal of $2.5 million.” The building is set to serve veterans and senior citizens from Livermore to Concord.
Saturday’s auction netted approximately $6,750, while donations from the Danville Rotary, San Ramon Valley Rotary and a private citizen totaled $50,000.
“We have five veterans in our club, and we want to support such a wonderful open project that will benefit all of the San Ramon Valley,” said San Ramon Valley Rotary President Gary Clarke. “This is the only veterans building in the are and I want to make sure our vets are taken care of.”
Veterans from different service organizations expressed gratitude toward the town and donors, explaining that the renovated hall would provide a much needed gathering place for fundraisers and provide an official space for returning veterans to get information about government benefits.
“Veterans organizations are thankful to the town of Danville for rebuilding the Veterans Hall,” said John Estes, former president of the VietNam Veterans of Diablo Valley. “We’re looking forward to reestablishing the veteran’s of this area’s influence in the community.”
Along with Mayor Karen Stepper, several members of the Armed Forces presented challenge coins to donors in attendance and lauded them for their patriotism.
“You should take pride if you get this (challenge coin) that you brought honor to yourself by supporting the veterans of this country,” said Coast Guard Adm. Mary O’Donnel.
The town is still looking for donors who would like to ” leave their legacy on a Donor Wall, or by having a room in the building named after them.” When completed, the facility will include three large meeting rooms, allowing for three separate groups or organizations to meet in the building at the same time. It will be available for all community and civic groups.
For more information about the fundraising, visit SRVveteranshall.org, TVCFoundation.org call 362-9806.
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Outside the Veterans Memorial Building, looking east on E. Prospect Avenue. Photo by Jessica Lipsky. -
Inside the community hall, which can be divided into three rooms to hold different groups at once. Photo by Jessica Lipsky. -
New landing with a view. Photo by Jessica Lipsky. -
Photo by Jessica Lipsky. -
French doors will look out to Hartz Avenue on the second floor. Photo by Jessica Lipsky. -
A couple looks out original restored windows to Hartz Avenue. Photo by Jessica Lipsky. -
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Members of the Culture to Culture Foundation perform a scarf dance for attendees. The group will be one of several to use the Veterans Hall. Photo by Jessica Lipsky. -
Photo by Jessica Lipsky.
