JOHN COFFELT Contributor

The local chapter of Vette for Vets, a club of Corvette owners that originated in South Carolina, surprised a Manchester man with a new roof and a collection of appliances as well as a promise to pay the elderly veteran’s electric bills for a year.

Frank Lloyd Badman, 91, and a United States veteran, was informed he would be receiving the home repairs during a visit to his home Sat, Oct. 14. 

“To be able to do this for a veteran is very awesome,” club founder and former United States Marine Jason Dores said. “We have zero paid employees. It’s all volunteer.”

Vettes for Vets was also able to give a similar donation last week in Washington D.C. and will more in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.

The nonprofit has plans to expand into Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

Dores pledged donations each year to veterans in Middle Tennessee.

Tennessee Vettes for Vets president Richard Kapp, owner of a 2023 75^th Anniversary Corvette, said that the donation is a way to recognize veterans a group not recognized often enough.

“A lot of the military windup being Corvette owners,” he said. “(These) enthusiasts like to help out others.”

Family and friends of the Badmans gathered at their home located on Country Club Drive Saturday under the pretense of a birthday celebration for the veteran who just turned 91.

He and his wife, Earnestine, were speechless at the gesture.                    

“It’s a great thing they do,” Frank Badman said.

Vettes for Vets is funded through donations, fundraisers, supporting vendors and car show events.

 For more information on Vettes for Vets, go to https://vettesforvets.club/.