Assemblyman Brian Maher (R, C-Walden) announced today, in the heart of the holiday season, that his office has secured a $75,000 grant that will benefit Walden VFW Post 2946 for the purpose of addressing significant infrastructure needs that have threatened to close the longtime veterans establishment over the past year. The Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology Program (“CREST”) grant will be used to rehabilitate the longtime VFW Post, including but not limited to, a roof replacement project, according to a letter from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), addressed to Commander Dave Penney. There will be a formal check presentation ceremony this Friday, December 22^nd at 6 p.m. at the site of the Walden VFW Post – 4 Oak Street, Walden. This will take place at the VFW regularly scheduled weekly community dinner. Representatives of Walden, Assemblyman Brian Maher and member of the VFW will be in attendance.

“Over the past several years, like many other VFWs and American Legions, our post has gone through some tough financial times,” said Walden VFW Post 2946 Commander Dave Penney. “We met with Assemblyman Maher several months ago as we were continuing our fundraising efforts to save the Post and make sure it remained open to serve our veterans and the greater Walden community. We explained to Assemblyman Maher that we had to address major infrastructure needs but didn’t have enough in our annual operating budget to take on such a large project and previous grant applications had been denied. Without an influx in fundraising or a grant we may not have been able to keep our doors open for much longer. The news of receiving this grant could not have come at a better time and we look forward to providing all of the paperwork necessary to receive the funding and keep our Post open.”

“When I met with Dave and he explained to me the dire situation that the Walden VFW Post was in, we began brainstorming on how my office could help,” said NYS Assemblyman Brian Maher. “First, we had a few vendors give us quotes to ensure we were prepared when certain grants presented themselves. My office submitted this project as part of the NYS Assembly Republican Minority Conference capital improvement program and we were so pleased to receive notification this week that the grant was awarded. By bringing back home our state taxpayer dollars in this way, we are making sure that this funding is spent on something that truly will make an impact on our community, especially our veterans.”

There will be a formal check presentation ceremony in the coming weeks which will detail the entire project that will be funded, as well as several community partners that will help to address the long-term infrastructure issues that the Post will now be able to address. With this funding finally addressing capital improvements, the Post can now put all of their focus into its ongoing efforts to recruit, retain and enhance programs to serve veterans. Assemblyman Maher and his team will work with Commander Penney and the Walden VFW to make sure they are given support throughout the paperwork filing process, which can be arduous. 

“I will never forget where I come from,” continued Maher. “I am a Waldenite through and through and as a Naval Reservist I will always fight to ensure our veterans and active service military personnel have the support they need.”