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Down and Dirty renovates Legion kitchen
American Legion Post 974 Commander Ken Bishop (left) and Frank Fontana of the Down and Dirty show take a look at the legion's newly renovated kitchen. | Contributed photo
Updated: October 14, 2012 12:22PM
FRANKLIN PARK — The kitchen at the American Legion Post in Franklin Park has been renovated, thanks to a show broadcast online.
On Aug. 9 and 10, a remodeling crew from the Chicago-based Down and Dirty show came to Post 974, 9757 Pacific Ave., and did a gut rehabilitation of the Legion kitchen. The kitchen serves up to 200 people.
“Our kitchen was like from 1970 or something,” Post Commander Ken Bishop said. “The stove we think came from the 1950s. The cabinets were falling apart, they were beginning to rot.”
Enter Down and Dirty, a show aimed at do-it-yourself types. The show is sponsored by Sears, which was looking to do something during U.S. Navy Week.
“I did some scouting trips and we selected the American Legion,” Producer Mike Stevens said. “It has a long history and they really needed the help and it seemed like a good fit.”
A crew of six arrived on Aug. 9. As videographers filmed, they ripped out cabinets, removed the stove, built steel counters, replaced the screen doors, installed two new stoves, a much larger sink and butcher block island, and a new power line.
“This will save us a lot of money and give us the ability to use funds for other projects,” Bishop said. Those projects include raising money for the Hines veteran’s hospital and helping the children of soldiers killed in combat.
The Post also rents out its kitchen
The show was released on Aug 15. To watch it, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LQuJ1QzTP4.
