By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The Victoria VFW Post 1751 is raising funds to build an accessible restroom.

The VFW’s building was constructed in the late 1960s or early 1970s and the bathrooms have not been upgraded sine then.

Harland Rupp, VFW quartermaster, said the renovation is important to the community, as the VFW is the only building in Victoria that is large enough to accommodate many community events.

The building is not only used by the VFW and veterans, but for wedding showers, funeral dinners, anniversary parties, Knights of Columbus fish fries and other events. Some patrons of the establishment who used walkers and wheelchairs said they were having trouble maneuvering in the current restroom’s tight space.

A new expanded unisex restroom will be created with a wider door, grab bars and lowered sink for use by people who use wheelchairs.

The VFW estimates it will need $10,000 to do the renovations and hopes to have enough money raised within the next six months to fund the project.

The group is applying for a Home Depot grant and is conducting a burger and brat fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the VFW, 204 E. Main St., Victoria. The fundraiser also will honor the community’s veterans.

Brats, burgers, hot dogs, baked beans, chips and coleslaw and beverages will be served. A full meal will cost $7.

Individual items can be purchased for the prices below.

Hamburger $3, brat $3, hot dog $2, bag of chips 50 cents, pop $1, beer $2

For more information on the fundraiser or on how to donate to the renovation project, contact Rupp at 785-623-1368.