On Noroton Avenue in Darien, next door to the fire department sits the VFW Post 6933.

“A lot of people don't even know it’s here. They drive right past it,” stated Lisa Melfi, whose father was a Marine.

“This is American history,” said veteran Marc Brooks.

“The original construction was in 1864 as a result of the Civil War,” added John Visi, the post’s quartermaster.

Visi explained the building was initially a chapel across the street at Fitch’s Home for Soldiers and Their Orphans, a campus established for veterans and their families. It moved to its current location in 1950.

“It's an old building. It has a lot of repair and upkeep to do,” Visi told News 12.

That includes replacing an outdoor stairway, bringing the kitchen up to code and getting the doors insulated, Visi said. Things like that are critical since the post hopes to rent out its upstairs hall for community events.

Recently, the building needed a new oil tank, which was a major expense.

“Monthly bills have been a challenge,” said Visi, who took over as quartermaster in August. “We don't have a steady monthly income. If I can't pay the bills and start to get behind, we might lose the Post, and I'd hate to see that happen.”

So, the post is turning to the community for donations. There's a fundraiser this month at the Piedmont Club in Darien that’s being organized by Lisa Melfi.

“I just want to try and raise money to save the building. I spent a lot of time here growing up because of my dad,” she told News 12.

Eddie Melfi joined the military right after high school and following his service, spent 28 years with the Stamford Police Department.

Lisa Melfi said he also instructed the post's drill team. She has many memories of her dad making them practice over and over again in the upstairs hall.

“I'm very blessed. He was a great man,” Lisa Melfi said, getting emotional.

Eddie Melfi died Saturday, a month before he would have turned 86, making his daughter's mission even more personal.

“I told him I was going to try and raise as much money as I can because I know how special this place was to him,” Lisa Melfi said.

That need to keep the post around was echoed by Brooks, who served in the Navy and now works with veterans.

“All the veterans in the community, understand that this is your building. Come here,” Brooks said.

Brooks is the owner of home care agency Right at Home in Darien, which helps those who’ve served in the military. He said the post is a place to connect with them.

“It's a platform that we use to reach out to a lot of veterans and let them know about the programs they're entitled to,” Brooks told News 12.

There’s also the social aspect.

“This is the kind of place you come to talk to other veterans, to reminisce, to talk to people that really want to listen to your experiences, so it's kind of a home,” Visi stated.

Visi thanked the community for all the support so far, especially local businesses, which have donated food and raffle items to the fundraiser. The event is Sunday, Feb. 16, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Piedmont Club in Darien. It’s a $25 donation at the door, which includes live music, food and raffles. Anyone with questions can reach out to Lisa Melfi at 203-536-7885.

To learn more or donate, click here.