The Marblehead Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2005 is about to get a much-needed facelift, thanks to a powerful act of generosity from two local families — one private, one professional.
Townsend Plumbing & Heating, a family-run business with more than 90 years of history, is donating all labor for a full-scale plumbing upgrade at the VFW.
The project, expected to begin no later than September, will replace plumbing fixtures that have remained untouched since the 1950s.
The materials and fixtures for the overhaul were donated by the Pope Family, longtime supporters of the post and Veterans in the area.
For Alex Minter, general manager of Townsend’s Marblehead location, the decision to help was simple.
“We’re newer to the community,” Minter said in an interview. “But when we had an opportunity to jump in, it was really an easy decision for us. The VFW does a lot of great things for the community. This was the perfect way for us to say hello and also just give back a little bit.”
VFW Commander Ronny Knight said he was floored when Minter offered to donate the labor.
“I was astonished by the generosity,” Knight said. “It’s not every day that someone walks in and says, ‘We want to do this for free — and do it right.’ This is going to change everything for us.”
The planned work will include replacing vanities, toilets, urinals, and other outdated fixtures in all four bathrooms across both floors of the VFW building. Minter estimates there are roughly eight or nine toilets in total, along with several sinks.
“These fixtures have been around since probably the 1950s,” Minter said. “We’re going in and swapping out a bunch of them — giving some of these bathrooms the facelift they deserve.”
While the material costs were covered by the Pope Family, the installation will require significant manpower and coordination on Townsend’s part.
Minter couldn’t provide a firm cost estimate for the labor being donated, but said, “It’s going to take some manpower to get everything done. But we want to get it done, and we want to get it done right — whatever that takes.”
The plumbing upgrade will be more than cosmetic. For many Veterans and community members who rely on the VFW space, improved restroom facilities are a basic need that’s been unmet for years.
“It’s not just a matter of looks,” Knight said. “These upgrades make the building more functional, more welcoming. It shows people that they’re respected — that they matter.”
The project also marks a milestone for Townsend Plumbing & Heating, which recently expanded to Marblehead.
“For us, this is about restoring trust,” Minter said. “We want to be a service provider people can call and know we’re going to do the right thing. That’s what family-run businesses like ours are about — we’re not just working in Marblehead, we’re becoming part of it.”
Founded more than 90 years ago, Townsend Plumbing & Heating has long prided itself on safety, compliance, and community-focused service. Now, with a new location in Marblehead, the company hopes to establish strong ties in the North Shore area.
“A lot of planning and preparation goes into a job like this,” Minter said. “We’re dividing and conquering when we get in there, and the team is excited. We know how much this place means to the people who use it.”
As of now, the work is scheduled to begin by the end of September, though Minter hopes to expedite the timeline if possible.
He’s working closely with Knight to coordinate logistics and ensure that VFW activities experience minimal disruption during the renovations.
Knight, still visibly moved by the gesture, said the donation is more than just a financial gift — it’s a sign of solidarity.
“When people like the Popes and companies like Townsend step up, they’re telling our Veterans, ‘You haven’t been forgotten,’” Knight said. “It’s humbling, and it’s powerful.”
