LCRA, Bluebonnet Co-op award $21,250 grant for upgrades to Burton American Legion

​​​​​Local Communities
LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $21,250 grant to the Burton American Legion Auxiliary 242 for upgrades to the heating and air-conditioning system and handicapped-accessible parking at the Martin Louis Post 242. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, left to right, are: Nancy Patterson, Auxiliary 242 president; Byron Balke, Bluebonnet Board member; Edna Meyer, Auxiliary 242 commander; Harold Kelm, Auxiliary 242 adjutant; Judith Finke, Auxiliary 242 treasurer; Ronnie Hohlt, Sons of American Legion commander; State Rep. Ben Leman, who represents Washington County; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; John Durrenberger, Washington County judge; Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager; Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet general manager; Robert Mikeska, Bluebonnet Board member; Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; Joy Fuchs, Washington County commissioner for Precinct 4; Ben Flencher, Bluebonnet Board chairman; Rodney Maurer, grant writer; Johnny Sanders, Bluebonnet community and development services manager; and Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet community representative.

BURTON, Texas – The Burton American Legion Auxiliary 242 will soon upgrade the air conditioning and make other improvements at the American Legion Martin Louis Post 242, thanks to a $21,250 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

The Community Development Partnership grant, along with $21,320 in matching funds, will pay to replace an outdated heating and air conditioning system, as well as add new ventilation, electrical wiring and energy-efficient thermostats at the post. The grant will also improve handicapped-accessible parking at the center.

“The air conditioning units in the building were installed when the center was built more than 30 years ago,” said Edna Meyer, auxiliary commander. The center originally had eight units, but is now down to six units that have been repaired numerous times over the years.

“We’re afraid that we’re going to flip on a couple of units and they are not going to turn on,” Meyer said of the aging system. “The units are all well used.”

The American Legion Martin Post 242 has been available for use in Burton and Washington County since 1925. In addition to providing services to veterans, the post also hosts social gatherings, meetings and community events throughout the year, and serves as a polling site during elections. The center also can provide shelter for people during emergencies.

LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said LCRA is honored to support a project that benefits both veterans and their communities.

“At LCRA, we value the service and sacrifice of our veterans and we’re pleased to help the post with these needed improvements,” Wilson said. “Martin Louis Post 242 provides a valuable gathering spot for this area, and we hope the new HVAC enables the center to continue operating for years to come.”

The Burton American Legion Auxiliary 242 has about 40 members who served in wars including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

“Our members are up there in age and improvements are needed,” Meyer said. “We’re going to use the grant responsibly, and put some money toward fixing the handicapped parking out in front of the building to help avoid accidents.”

Not accustomed to asking for help, Meyer said the organization would have relied on public donations to address their air conditioning concerns, but donations on hand now would only cover the cost of one new unit and would not have addressed the needed parking upgrades.

“We’re very excited about the grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet,” Meyer said. “It was definitely needed.”

This grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted from Jan. 1-31, 2020. More information is available at
lcra.org/cdpp.

About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.

About Bluebonnet
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been providing power to its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 102,000 meters, and owns and maintains 11,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to
bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contacts

LCRA:

Clara Tuma 512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org

Bluebonnet:

Will Holford 512-332-7955
will.holford@bluebonnet.coop


Source: LCRA Business News

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