The Brunswick American Legion will host a public dinner on Saturday from 5-7 p.m. to support a program that assists homeless veterans.
The George T. Files, Post 20 will host the dinner, with all proceeds going to support the Cabin in the Woods project facilitated through Volunteers of America.
The first of its kind project for Maine will build 21 energy efficient, Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, residential cabins in 11 wooded acres adjacent to Togus in Chelsea.
According to the Volunteers of America website, 8,000 Maine veterans live in poverty with one in 10 being homeless.
There will be 16 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom cabins built with rustic settings and privacy in mind.
Also on site will be a two-bedroom office cabin and a community space.
This program will assist homeless male and female veterans as well as families, emphasizing reunification and employment. The program will also work with state and federal agencies to assist veterans staying there.
The majority of funding for the $4.2 million project will come from the Maine Housing Tax Credit Allocation with the remainder of the funds being raised privately.
Volunteers of America are partnering with the Veterans Administration to secure a 75 year lease on the land.
Post 20 Commander Joe Donahue said this project is the first to be inclusive of female veterans.
Donahue said it’s the legion’s goal to help homeless veterans, saying that vets from all conflicts have seen, experienced and taken home those experiences.
“Everybody sees the conflicts and the problems that we go through in a different light and what may be hard for me may not be hard for another veteran but we basically have seen it all and want to help each other get along because we’re all one big happy family,” Donahue said.
The dinner will be at 1 Columbus drive, and for $10 will include applewood smoked pulled pork and chicken, dinner rolls, baked beans, four cheese macaroni and cheese and molasses cookies and fruit tarts for dessert.
dmcintire@timesrecord.com
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