LCRA, Brenham award $24,500 grant to American Legion Hall

​​​​​Brenham

LCRA and City of Brenham representatives present a $24,500 grant to American Legion Buddy Wright Post No. 48 to replace the HVAC system. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Debbie Youngs, American Legion Auxiliary member; Barbara Hemmer, Buddy Wright Post 48 adjutant; Betty Wiesepape, Auxiliary president; Terry Brieden, Auxiliary treasurer; and Kate Holman, LCRA Governmental Affairs representative. Second row, left to right, Kenneth Mueller, Buddy Wright Post 48 finance officer; John Brieden, Washington County judge; Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; Bill Kendall, Buddy Wright Post 48 commander; and Steve Miller, Buddy Wright Post 48 member. Third row, left to right, James Fisher, Brenham city manager; Lowell Ogle Jr., Brenham assistant city manager for public utilities; Martin Wiesepape, Buddy Wright Post 48 2nd vice commander; and Wayne Herrington, Buddy Wright Post 48 member.

When the American Legion Buddy Wright Post No. 48 installed its heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, Lyndon B. Johnson was president and the Beatles topped the charts. The year was 1964. Now, some 54 years later, the Buddy Wright Post will replace that HVAC system, thanks to a $24,500 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Brenham.

The grant, along with almost $20,000 in local contributions, will allow the Buddy Wright Post to remove and safely dispose of the old condensing units; upgrade electrical components and ductwork; and install a new HVAC system with Energy Star-certified equipment.

“Our historic hall is used by the community every week of the year for American Legion and other community events,” said Kenneth Mueller, financial officer of the Buddy Wright Post. “Our 54-year-old HVAC system was state-of-the-art back then and has served us well, but it’s inefficient now and just isn’t keeping up. The cost of frequent maintenance and energy inefficiency of the system is limiting our ability to continue to serve the community, especially during our long, hot, Texas summers.”

The American Legion is a community-service organization of veterans that promotes patriotism and honor, as well as the welfare of the men and women who serve in the military. The American Legion Buddy Wright Post No. 48 was chartered in 1919 and is named after Private Buddy Wright, the first casualty from Washington County during World War I. The historic hall was built 1935-37 by the Works Progress Administration.

In addition to hosting American Legion chapter activities, the facility serves as a polling site during city, county, state and federal elections. It’s also available for family reunions, weddings and community events such as Brenham Maifest and other area festivals. The building also serves as a disaster shelter.

The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. The program 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 City of Brenham is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted July 1-31. 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 access to nature at more than 40 parks, recreation areas and river access sites along the Texas Colorado River, from the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. For more information, visit
lcra.org

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


Source: LCRA Business News

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