By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Today, the old-fashioned wallpaper and yellow-gold paint that used to line the walls of the American Legion’s wedding reception and banquet room is gone, replaced with pristine white walls, gray trim and flat-screen TVs.

“We wanted to support the community by providing a cost-effective place where people can come and have community meetings, with catered meals,” Lisa VanHorn said, who operates the Legion with her husband, Kevin VanHorn.

The renovation is all part of American Legions Post 173’s Revitalization Campaign, designed to re-invent the entire building and the veterans who call it home — and to preserve it for years to come.

“We are asking for support with the American Legion Post 173 Revitalization Campaign, which we are asking the community to donate so that we can bring the legion back on the map again and get it nice and what the veteran’s deserve. They deserve a place to call home. They deserve a place to get information and just be around other veterans,” said VanHorn, noting the American Legion is a nonprofit organization that has served the Hays area for more that 50 years.

Vietnam Veteran Joseph Chretien pointed out the American Legion is not just about “fun and games.”

“All the money we raise with our weddings and other facilities goes right back into the Legion to help aid veterans. We give money every year to the Soldiers Home in Dodge City, help veterans with their educational and medical benefits” Chretien said, noting many of their newest members are students at Fort Hays State University.

VanHorn said she hopes the new wedding reception, banquet and meeting room will be complete by August.

Van Horn said donations can be anything from money, volunteer time or donated materials. Donations can mailed to the American Legion at 1305 Canterbury, Hays, KS 67601 or contact Lisa or Kevin VanHorn at (785) 625-3813.