Contractor steps up to make repairs at non-profit building for vets

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Last week, FOX6 News shared the story of a gathering place for veterans in desperate need of repair. Since then, the community has stepped up, including one contractor who's volunteering his time to get the place running again.

Burgie Rogers is the queen of the castle -- an imposing house just west of downtown Milwaukee that looks magnificent -- at least on the outside. However, the headquarters of Rogers' non-profit "Veterans Helping Veterans" organization is closed because the roof leaks and there is no heat.

"It really gets next to you because if I walk into the VA and one of the vets know me, it's like 'hey Burgie, how are you?' and I don't know this vet and they say 'do you still have the place?' and I have to say we're temporarily closed down," Rogers said.

After FOX6 News first reported Rogers' story last week, the calls started coming from people who wanted to help. One of those calls came from contractor Brian Pawlak.

"It touched my heart that this woman is providing her home, her building, to veterans who provided, basically, would've gave their lives for us," Pawlak said.

Pawlak estimates it will cost at least $30,000 to get the gathering place running again. From there, they'll turn their attention to an apartment complex Rogers runs for homeless vets, which is also in disrepair.

It will require a lot of heavy lifting, but Rogers says "bring it."

"You can't keep a good Army woman down. No way. We're fighters," Rogers said.

The Home Depot in Franklin is also helping out -- giving Rogers a $1,000 gift card.

For those looking to help out, there is an account for "Veterans Helping Veterans" at the VA Credit Union the VA campus.

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