Westminster’s Tyler Careau is in the final stretch of both fundraising and construction for a covered pavilion at VFW Post 7389 in Westminster, MA. To cut right to the chase, before the Q&A update with Tyler — I’m asking you to make a donation to his efforts, a small donation or a large? I’ll never know. The $50,000+/- project is about $5,000 away from being fully funded. Join me in helping to finish funding the pavilion, an ambitious project undertaken by a motivated teenager on a mission to say thank you to local veterans. With Veterans Day on November 11, the timing couldn’t be better.
Here’s my first Q&A with Tyler, introducing the VFW Pavilion Project.
To make it easier to participate, I’ve included links to several local banks and credit unions below. Most banks offer free online bill pay, which will mail a check for you. Just add the payee below and include “Pavilion Eagle Project” in the memo.
VFW Post 7389
Attention: Pavilion Eagle Project
P.O. Box 388
Westminster, MA 01473
AllOne Credit Union
Cornerstone Bank
DCU Digital Federal Credit Union
Fidelity Bank
GFA Federal Credit Union
IC Federal Credit Union
Rollstone Bank & Trust
Workers Credit Union
FOLLOW UP Q&A with TYLER CAREAU
Last time we talked, you were waiting on permits and final fundraising. What happened between August and breaking ground?
Truly, “a lot” is an understatement for what has happened in this short time. I have presented in front of the town Select Board to get the permits for free, ran around like crazy trying to facilitate donations for materials, and worked with our general contractor, Jeremy Canneto, to finalize plans before we broke ground at the end of October. On top of all this, the simple advertising is what takes the most of my attention in trying to keep the funds coming in.
What did groundbreaking day actually look like? Who was there, and what did it feel like to finally see dirt moving?
I was not present on the day it happened as I was in school, but stopping by and checking out what was done and hearing that more is on the way feels great.
In August, you said you didn’t have a “wow, this is actually going to happen” moment yet. Have you had it now?
Still, I don’t feel we are out of the woods yet, and I am definitely not counting my chickens until they hatch, so to speak, as the finances of all this are still looming and those questions will not be answered until the job is nearing full completion. I do feel that wow moment slowly coming, and the little victories in the meantime have felt great.
You’ve raised $50,000. What is the financial gap that, when filled, will have this project fully funded?
As of right now (beginning of November), we are within $5,000 of our estimated worst-case scenario number. This does not mean that progress is stagnated until we get there. We still feel confident moving forward, and having that safety net to not only make me feel good, but also enable the VFW to feel good about future upkeep, is our top priority.
What will that last piece pay for?
That last piece of funds could technically go into anything not already built for the project, but the last thing that will be put in at the site is the plaque, which we still need funds for. Ultimately, this last push will ensure we are not setting the VFW up for failure in the future, and they can adequately fund pavilion upkeep and future endeavors.
Did any donation since our first story stand out, whether for its size, its story, or who it came from?
Not really. It’s just been every little small step mattering nearly as much as a big donation would have.
Have any local businesses stepped up with donated materials or labor, as you hoped they might?
Maki’s gave us a discount on most materials, but other than that, materials were purchased at contractor pricing.
Has the final project cost held steady, or have prices shifted since August?
Prices have held steady thanks to quotes and contracts, and our goal is still around $55,000, worst-case scenario.
For anyone who gives $500 or more, is the plaque offer still in place? Is there a deadline to be included?
Yes, that offer still stands until the day we order the plaque, which is TBD as of right now.
What’s the construction schedule from here? Are you still aiming to finish this fall, or has winter changed the plan?
As long as winter does not come sooner than anticipated, we are still on track, albeit not as comfortably as before, to complete this before the first snowfall.
What’s your role on site now that construction has started?
My role is more limited than before, as this part is now largely in the hands of the contractors and professionals. But my job still stands as helping communication to flow, whether it be from the community or the VFW themselves, and leading them into an agreement on what the town wants this project to be.
What has working with contractors taught you since we last talked?
They are very experienced, busy, and amazing people, and they have such a great, tight-knit community that they all work in. Getting to know Jeremy Canneto has been a great experience, and while I may have been lost in a couple of conversations in practically an entirely new language, he was always ready to dumb it down when needed. I thank not only him but all who have given me advice throughout this process for guiding me to victory for the town, so to speak.
Are there any contractors or local businesses you’d like to call out for being especially supportive?
Jeremy Canneto, especially, for his dedication to the project. His business, Canneto and Co., has been great for this project, and I highly recommend him, as well as anyone who donated their time or simply helped build the pavilion, such as John Wilson and many more. I would also like to thank the American Legion and the Westminster Village Foundation for being some of the highest contributors in the funding process. To them and everyone else who pitched in to help, even in these tough financial times, thank you for being patient and supporting me along the way.
Has anything gone wrong, or surprised you, now that it’s actually being built?
There have always been minor things that have slightly gotten away from the plan, but I have always been able to work with Jeremy Canneto to find a cost-efficient solution to all the small problems that have arisen.
What have the VFW members said to you as they watch it go up?
Every VFW member I have met has further pushed my reasoning as to why I continue working on this project. Every single one has a different, fun, and unique story to tell and has the best personality, so I highly recommend stopping by an event in the future and just getting to know and talking to them. I assure you you’ll have a great time.
Are there plans for a dedication or ribbon cutting, and will the public be invited?
There are plans, but they are all in the works right now as winter draws closer, and it all depends on timing, so I have no information as of right now.
How are you balancing this with senior year and college applications?
It has been both the best and most stressful month of my life. It’s almost like everything I have ever worked for my entire life is wrapping up all at once, and it has been insane. Every other day I have to move my focus to something different, and this month of multitasking has definitely taught me some skills I will use later in life and in college. Overall, it’s a feeling of bliss as well as chaos, as it’s almost as if I’m physically closing and finishing the story of my childhood.
Where does this leave you on the road to Eagle? What’s left after the pavilion is done?
Once the project is complete, all I have left is the paperwork and my board of review, which is basically like a job interview for Eagle Scout in front of the council to see if you are “worthy.” If I pass that, I will officially be an Eagle Scout.
Looking back at your answers from August, what would you tell that version of yourself?
Just be happy with how much you have done, and be proud no matter where life takes you.
How can people help close the gap?
The pavilion is about $5,000 away from being fully funded. With Veterans Day on November 11, this may be a good time to give in honor of a veteran in your life.
- Mail a check. Make it payable to VFW Post 7389 and send it to: VFW Post 7389, Attention: Pavilion Eagle Project, P.O. Box 388, Westminster, MA 01473. Check with your tax preparer–donations are generally tax-deductible.
- Give $500 or more to be remembered. Your name, your business’s name, or the name of a veteran you’d like to honor will go on a plaque at the pavilion. The opportunity is open until the plaque is ordered.
- Connect Tyler with a business. If your company might be interested in sponsoring the project, email Tyler at vfwpavilioneagle@gmail.com for donation details.
- Share this story. Forward it, post it, or send it to a friend who has a veteran in the family.
- Talk about it. Word of mouth tends to reach people a newsletter doesn’t.
- Watch for the ribbon cutting. The date is still to be determined, depending on weather.
LINKS TO LOCAL BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS
AllOne Credit Union
Cornerstone Bank
DCU Digital Federal Credit Union
Fidelity Bank
GFA Federal Credit Union
IC Federal Credit Union
Rollstone Bank & Trust
Workers Credit Union
