SAN DIEGO — At CBS 8 we are always 'Working for You'. Last week when a refrigerator at VFW Post 7420 died while helping to make meals for flood victims, we jumped back into action to help those who are already doing so much to help others.
In this Zevely Zone, we returned to Logan Heights for a feel-good follow up. Last week, we took you inside the kitchen at VFW Post 7420. That's where volunteers continue to cook free meals for hundreds of families displaced by historic flooding.
"We are going to be here until the families don't need us anymore," said Quartermaster Johnny Odom. "You finish the mission. The mission is not complete until everyone is taken care of," said Post Commander Livy Lazaro. It was during that interview when Commander Lazaro asked for help after their industrial refrigerator died on them.
Commander Lazaro told us what happened after our story aired. "Everyone just started calling and blowing up our phone." VFW volunteers have been cooking hundreds of meals every day for flood victims and even when their fridge quit, volunteers did not.
"That refrigerator is our lifeline," said Retired Sergeant First Class Odom who told us cooking meals for San Diegans in need isn't a photo op. "Until the families are home, until they are back in their homes, until they have a means to heat up food and cook for themselves and have refrigerators and stoves, we will be here," said Quartermaster Odom.
But a new refrigerator sure does help, and the new refrigerator is even bigger than the one they had before.
CBS 8 viewers wanted to help with their mission. "Some people came from Solana Beach, down in Escondido," said Commander Lazaro.
The story aired in several CBS 8 newscasts and viewers kept responding. "They were like, we saw the Zevely Zone, we saw the Zevely Zone can we drop a donation off?" said Commander Lazaro.
Our story aired, six times that day and each time it did Commander Lazaro said a flood of donations followed, "It was beautiful even our volunteers were saying 'answer the phone answer the phone', we had a gentleman walk up and just hand over cash."
All in all, $3,000 came pouring in. Commander Lazaro completed two tours in Iraq as a combat medic but says San Diego is filled with heroes of its own. "Ha, ha, so blessed! So supported knowing that there's that many people that care," said Commander Lazaro.
You did that San Diego! "Yeah you did, thank you so much," said Commander Lazaro.
On Sunday, April 14th from 4-8 pm, VFW Post 7420 is celebrating its 69th Anniversary. They want to invite the public to enjoy food and music. If you'd like to make a donation to help VFW Post 7420 continue to make meals for flood victims, you can call (619) 239-5373 or email Vfwpost7420@gmail.com. You can also send a donation through Venmo using the handle @vfw-DonDiego.
WATCH ORIGINAL STORY FROM APRIL 3: