Douglas County’s Heroes Hall receives $100,000 Donation
- Heroes Hall
- Oct 29
- 3 min read
Board members of the Douglas County Heroes Foundation stand with the founder of the Aloha Fund after receiving a donation for the construction of the Heroes Hall building on the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Courtesy of Douglas County
News Article written by: Haley Lena, Castle Rock News-Press
The Douglas County Heroes Hall Foundation has received its first major private donation that will go toward the construction of the Heroes Hall building in Castle Rock.
“We’re excited to take this and use this to (do) good work,” said Mike McNairy, chairman of the Douglas County Heroes Hall Foundation. “This is going to go and help all of our veterans in our community.”
The Aloha Fund, a private, locally owned philanthropic fund that supports numerous nonprofit organizations throughout Douglas County, donated $100,000 toward the planned facility that aims to house services and community gatherings for veterans.
Hilleary Everist, the founder of the Aloha Fund, was inspired by her father to donate funds to the county’s Heroes Hall. Her father, Capt. Hubert Everist, flew A-26 bombers for the 409th Bomb Group over Rhineland Germany during World War II.
“Dad would be pleased to know that the garden area at Heroes Hall will be named the Aloha Lanai,” Everist said. “Having the Heroes Hall located in Castle Rock will honor all military veterans in Douglas County,” Everist said in a statement.
With more than 20,000 veterans residing in the area, Douglas County has one of the larger veteran populations in Colorado, according to the county. As a result, there are numerous veteran organizations, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars throughout the county.
In an effort to create a dedicated space for the veteran community, the Douglas County Heroes Hall Foundation, a local nonprofit organization, is working to unite veteran-focused organizations in a single, collaborative space.
In 2024, the Douglas County commissioners approved the location for inclusion of the Heroes Hall to be at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in their updated master plan. The commissioners also approved a $400,000 contract earlier this year for design services of the building.
The Heroes Hall building will include an event space, conference center and classrooms in a 14,000-square-foot building with a 7,000-square-foot basement.
The Heroes Hall building is estimated to cost about $15 million to build. While Douglas County provided the piece of land, which McNairy said is valued around $3 million, the county also helped the organization get ARPA funding.
However, the building is being funded primarily through private donations.
McNairy, who is also a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, said the vision is to consolidate the support functions of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation and the Douglas County Veterans Service Office.
Currently, there are several American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Castle Rock, Parker and Highlands Ranch that advocate and support veterans and their families, as well as take part in community service projects.
The Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation, which is also a nonprofit organization, constructed a monument on the corner of 4th and Wilcox Street in downtown Castle Rock as a gathering place for all veterans. The organization also provides assistance grants to veterans.
Another resource in the county is the Douglas County Veterans Service Office which helps veterans receive additional assistance and support, allowing them to pursue community engagement and advocate for veteran causes.
The Douglas County Heroes Hall Foundation hopes to share resources and provide care that addresses physical and emotional health, as well as social needs for veterans and their families.
Types of services will include assistance with Veterans Affairs and state benefits, emergency needs, education and training, according to the Douglas County Heroes Hall Foundation’s website.
“Together, we want to put in one place, one location for veterans to come to,” McNairy said. “Our four organizations will be able to provide that camaraderie and that environment where they can get the support that they need.”
