A drive to raise money for an elevator for the American Legion Post 62 building on Dunn Street has just received a boost from a World War II veteran.

Walter Leighton, who grew up in Westbrook and now lives in Gilman, Vt., recently donated $500 to the Stephen W. Manchester Post’s elevator fund.

Leighton, who served in both World War II and the Korean War, has not lived in Westbrook since he moved to the West Coast in 1950, but he still maintains a connection to the city and is a member of Post 62. Leighton said he tries to make a charitable donation each year, and this year he chose the elevator fund.

“I just feel this is a veteran helping veterans,” he said.

Mary McGuirk, past commander of Post 62, said the drive to install an elevator in the Dunn Street building has been going on for three years. She said the building is in great need of an elevator.

“It’s not accessible to handicapped people,” she said. “So I’m trying to make it accessible for the veterans who can’t get up there right now.”

McGuirk said the Post needs to raise about $175,000, so far the fundraising effort has raised $25,000, she said. She said thanks to his donation, Leighton will have his name inscribed on a special plaque inside the elevator along with the names of all the other donors of $500 or more.

Leighton said he was happy to help out, and he urged others to match his donation. “It’s something the post needs,” he said. It’s worthwhile.”

For more information on the elevator fund, call American Legion Post 62 at 856-7152.

World War II Walter Leighton presents a $500 check to American Legion Post 62 Past Commander Mary McGuirk for the post’s elevator fund on Wednesday. Leighton a Westbrook native who now lives in Vermont, also served in the Korean War, he said his donation was a way for a veteran to help other veterans.

A drive to raise money for an elevator for the American Legion Post 62 building on Dunn Street has just received a boost from a World War II veteran.

Walter Leighton, who grew up in Westbrook and now lives in Gilman, Vt., recently donated $500 to the Stephen W. Manchester Post’s elevator fund.

Leighton, who served in both World War II and the Korean War, has not lived in Westbrook since he moved to the West Coast in 1950, but he still maintains a connection to the city and is a member of Post 62. Leighton said he tries to make a charitable donation each year, and this year he chose the elevator fund.

“I just feel this is a veteran helping veterans,” he said.

Mary McGuirk, past commander of Post 62, said the drive to install an elevator in the Dunn Street building has been going on for three years. She said the building is in great need of an elevator.

“It’s not accessible to handicapped people,” she said. “So I’m trying to make it accessible for the veterans who can’t get up there right now.”

McGuirk said the Post needs to raise about $175,000, so far the fundraising effort has raised $25,000, she said. She said thanks to his donation, Leighton will have his name inscribed on a special plaque inside the elevator along with the names of all the other donors of $500 or more.

Leighton said he was happy to help out, and he urged others to match his donation. “It’s something the post needs,” he said. It’s worthwhile.”

For more information on the elevator fund, call American Legion Post 62 at 856-7152.

World War II Walter Leighton presents a $500 check to American Legion Post 62 Past Commander Mary McGuirk for the post’s elevator fund on Wednesday. Leighton a Westbrook native who now lives in Vermont, also served in the Korean War, he said his donation was a way for a veteran to help other veterans.