Construction charity organization AGC Charities Inc. will renovate part of the American Legion Post located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to make the facility more handicap accessible. Contractors will donate their time, expertise and money to make a series of improvements to the Kenneth H. Nash Post 8 building.

“We want to make sure that any veteran, regardless of their current physical condition, can enjoy the full range of services the Post offers,” said Jim Clemens, chairman of Ocean City, N.J.-based Clemens Construction Co. and the chairman of AGC Charities. “This is a great opportunity for construction firms to give a little back to help the men and women that have sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom.”

The charitable group is teaming up with Bethesda-based Clark Construction Group, who has volunteered to serve as the volunteer lead contractor, as well as Georgetown-based Zaras & Neudorfer Architects, who is providing the architectural services for the project. The improvements will include renovating bathroom facilities in the event hall to make them handicap accessible, enlarging storage spaces and widening doors.

Clemens said that the renovations will allow the Post to serve wounded and disabled soldiers that currently can’t access many parts of the building. He noted that once the renovations are completed, the Post will be able to welcome visiting disabled soldiers and host veterans recuperating at nearby Walter Reed Hospital for special functions, like Super Bowl parties. The facility also will be better able to accommodate many of its aging members, due to the renovations, he added.

“It’s an honor to be involved with such a worthwhile project,” said Matthew Cerritelli, superintendent, Clark Construction Group and lead volunteer of the charity project. “We’re tremendously excited about the opportunity to give back to the community and provide a service to our brave men and women in uniform.”

In addition to Clark Construction Group and Zaras & Neudorfer Architects, Clemens noted that a long list of local contractors will be attached to the project including: D.C.-based Pierce Associates; Baltimore-based C.B. Flooring; Baltimore-based Berg Corporation; Rockville-based Maryland Applicators Inc.; Greenville, N.C.-based C.H. Edwards; Calabasas, Calif.-based Valleycrest Landscape; Lorton, Va.-based K M Builders; Philadelphia, Pa.-based Materials Distributors; Glen Burnie, Md.-based Harmon Glass; Clinton, Md.-based Mona Electric Group and Bethesda-based Clark Concrete.

Clemens said the AGC Charities group was fundraising to cover the cost of the materials needed to renovate the Post. He noted that the charitable group was established four years ago to channel and support the charitable efforts of the construction community. He added that the group held previous national Operation Opening Doors projects in Honolulu, Orlando and Las Vegas.

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