VFW Post 7720 is moving into a major new phase of its long-planned construction project, as Commander Barry Church says the organization is preparing to select a contractor and break ground on its future post home in the coming days.
After months of planning, fundraising, and early site preparation, the project is now entering the window where construction can officially begin. “We should be letting contracts within this year,” Church said. “Hopefully by mid to late December, we’ll be opening contracts to get a contractor to go to work.”
Groundbreaking Ceremony Coming Soon
Church confirmed that an official groundbreaking ceremony will take place very soon, though the VFW is finalizing the date. The post postponed an earlier planned ceremony but intends to announce the new date to local media, including Habersham News.
Once the groundbreaking occurs, serious site preparation will begin shortly after the first of the year. “By spring [of 2026], we hope to start putting the foundation in the ground and see the building start coming up,” Church said.
Opening Goal: Late 2026 or Early 2027
While no formal completion date will be set until a contractor is chosen, Church said he hopes the new VFW hall could be completed and open by late 2026 or early 2027. “That’s my dream,” he said with a laugh. “I keep telling the guys, we need to get this built so I can live long enough to see it.”
Estimated Cost: $1 Million to $1.2 Million
The final price will depend on contractor bids, but the VFW expects the project to fall in the $1 million to $1.2 million range. Church said the post is committed to being financially responsible while still building a high-quality facility that meets the needs of veterans.
“We want a beautiful facility at a minimal cost,” he said. “Prices on materials change almost daily, but we’ll know more once the bids come in.”
Donations, Grants, and In-Kind Support Still Needed
The VFW continues to seek grants, donations, and material contributions. Church said the public has already stepped up in meaningful ways — including a recent major donation of soil from a contractor working on a nearby bridge project. Nearly 400 truckloads of dirt were delivered to the VFW’s building site.
“We’ll take money or we’ll take soil — and we still need more dirt,” Church joked. “As I said the other day, we’ll take money, we’ll take dirt, or we’ll take dirty money.”
The post has already received support from HEMC, Ace Hardware in Cornelia, and hopefully several corporate partners in the near future.
Commemorative Bricks and Memorial Gardens
To support fundraising, VFW Post 7720 has launched a commemorative brick program that will create a memorial garden at the new facility. Bricks can be purchased in honor of veterans, loved ones, or anyone the donor wishes to recognize.
The post also hopes to establish a separate memorial garden for first responders, pending discussions with local emergency service agencies.
“These gardens will give families something meaningful — a place they can visit anytime to remember their loved ones,” Church explained.
How to Donate
Donations can be made in multiple ways:
- Via the QR code on the VFW 7720 website
- By mail to the post’s regular mailing address
- Or by calling the post, which will arrange pickup
“We’re trying to make it as easy as possible on everyone,” Church said.
A Call for Community Support
Commander Church said the project’s success will depend on the strength of community involvement.
“The main thing is we need a lot of community support to get this off the ground and get it running,” he said. “We want to be able to take care of the veterans who need our help — and this new facility will help us do exactly that.”
