Three Rivers VFW Post 1324 in Oregon City is getting a complete lighting overhaul at no cost, after community members voted to select the century-old veterans organization as one of 14 posts nationwide to receive a free LED retrofit.

The upgrade, coordinated locally by North Coast Electric, will swap out the post's outdated fluorescent fixtures for new LED lighting throughout the building at 104 Tumwater Drive.

Completion is expected by October 2026 as part of a phased national rollout, according to a Patch AM report published July 8.

The project falls under Sonepar's "Bright Lights Brighter Futures" program, launched by the electrical distribution company to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

North Coast Electric, a Sonepar company based in the Pacific Northwest, said in a LinkedIn post that the new fixtures will help reduce energy use and lower utility costs, allowing the post to put more resources toward serving veterans and families.

Acuity and Cooper Lighting Solutions are donating the fixtures and materials. PSG Energy Services will handle installation, and TerraCycle will recycle the old lamps.

A regional hub since 1925

Three Rivers VFW Post 1324 was established in 1925 and has operated out of the Clackamas County Veterans Memorial Building since 1949. The post serves veterans of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, with members spanning communities from West Linn to Happy Valley.

No specific dollar estimate for the annual energy savings has been released.

Upcoming community events

Tuesday, July 22 — LoveOne Laundry Event, Brax Laundry, 927 Molalla Ave., Oregon City. 6 p.m.

Thursday, July 23 — Concert in the Park: Jeff Miller & The Congregation. End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, 1726 Washington St., Oregon City. Music 6:30–8:30 p.m. Free admission; parking $5 cash.

Thursday, July 23 — Music in the Park: Petty Fever (Tom Petty tribute). Luscher Farm City Park, 125 Rosemont Rd., West Linn. Free.