'Help us help them'

COEUR d'ALENE — It takes money to make money.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 has launched a $1.25 million capital campaign for a facilities project to generate funds for local veterans and the community.

With the "Help Us Help Them" campaign, the nonprofit will remodel its two properties in the 400 block of North Fourth Street to not only support veterans, but to create a funding generator from which all proceeds will benefit vets and charities.

"This facility will generate up to $250,000 a year in charitable contributions once completed and in full operation," Commander Ken Anderson said.

"The VFW wants to preserve the historic building as a part of Coeur d’Alene’s history. Unfortunately, there is no way to bring back the full grandeur of what was once that of the Knights of Columbus, but we will do our utmost to preserve what is left and turn it into a funding generator for our community."

Phase 1 of the project is a remodel of the 420 N. Fourth St. property, which has been occupied by Brad Miles Insurance, into the post's new headquarters and museum.

"We have already begun the remodel effort from within by soliciting funds from our membership," Anderson said, adding that the work includes a facelift and new roof. "This summer we'll finish painting the building."

The insurance firm will move to the Kootenai Health district in Coeur d'Alene in late July.

Phase II will be a remodel of the upper floor of the VFW hall at 406 N. Fourth St. into an event center. The center will seat 200 for weddings, conferences and other gatherings.

"This part will include 2,500 square feet of event space, a catering kitchen, restrooms and audio visual," Anderson said. "Mid-sized event space downtown is at a premium. We want to fill that void."

Anderson said the Mik's night club at 406 N. Fourth will continue operating there until enough funding is raised for the remodel.

Phase III will be a remodel of the lower floor of the hall into an upscale lounge and nightclub that will be open to the public, non-smoking and support the event center.

"This will be predicated on if we can raise the funds," Anderson said.

Anderson said the nonprofit is counting on the community for its support so that the post can continue to assist charities for years to come. The post recently provided a flurry of donations to community outreach efforts including the North Idaho Stand Down, Newby-ginnings and Quilts of Valor.

"We have gone out to our membership internally for donations but the majority of the membership is on fixed incomes," said Anderson, adding that about $20,000 has been raised internally. "We will have to rely on the generosity of the community to accomplish this goal, but believe that it will be well worth it in the long run. We'll keep the money local.

"We are a membership and philanthropic organization."

There are multiple ways the community can support the VFW's campaign: https://vfwcda.org/donate

VFW Post 889, which has more than 400 members, was established on Feb. 21, 1922, by a group of Spanish-American War and World War I veterans.

In 1935, the VFW purchased its current post hall at 406 N. Fourth St. from the Knights of Columbus.

"The hall has served the community and members, but Father Time has taken its toll," said Anderson, referring to the need for upgraded facilities to raise funds for the community.

Anderson said he's confident that the VFW's planned campus will become a reality.

"We will win," he said.