The American Legion Department of Louisiana

          One of the many organizations who generously give of their time and money to help our nation's veterans is Azalea Charities. Commander Bill Stroud of American Legion Post 174 Newellton has had the pleasure and honor of working with Mr. Frank Lasch, Sr. of Azalea Charities on several projects in our local and surrounding areas.  One of the recent projects is the reworking of a mobile home belonging to disabled veteran Henry Eubanks and his wife, made possible through a donation from Mr. Lasch of Azalea Charities and with the teamwork effort of the members of American Legion Post 174 and VFW Post 3155.
           Some of the work on this project involved the building of a ramp and the widening of the mobile home's hallway, bath, and bedroom to make it handicapped accessible for Mr. Eubanks.  The enlarging of these areas will also make it possible for Mr. Eubanks to be transported to a medical facility by stretcher if needed which was something of a hardship for him to this time.  Mr. Gary Gilmore and son recently finished a wheel chair ramp for Mr. Eubanks and have turned their efforts to the rest of the project.  "We are not a minute too soon," Commander Bill Stroud said.  "Mr. Eubanks has fallen recently and hurt his ankle and hip during the fall.  The low step over the shower and the new safety grab bars should help keep this from happening in the future."  It was also noted that Mr. Eubanks was happily testing his new ramp by riding his power chair over it as soon as it was completed.
          Our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Lasch and Azalea Charities for their good work on behalf of our veterans in need and to all those who are giving of their time and efforts to help Mr. Eubanks.