advertisement

Arlington Heights American Legion needs help with renovation

Arlington Heights American Legion Post 208 has been an integral part of the community since 1924.

Now its members are asking for the community's help in keeping it that way for the foreseeable future.

Post 208 is seeking donations to help pay for renovations that started Wednesday on its building at 121 N. Douglas Ave. The work, which includes upgrading the audio visual system and removing walls, is aimed at keeping the building viable for years to come.

"This is an older building that's been around for many, many years. There have been additions added on here and there, minor renovations, but we're trying to make it more presentable to the public," said Post Commander Don Horn.

All construction work is being done by members who are donating their time, but a Go Fund Me website has been launched at www.gofundme.com/nnlwcw to raise $25,000 to pay for material costs.

"I want this building to still be here 50 or 100 years after I'm gone," Horn said. "There are not a lot of places where a veteran can come in, sit down, relax and tell his stories where somebody actually listens. But, this is also a public place for rentals and the community."

The Arlington Heights American Legion post has about 465 members, with an additional 250 or more in the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.

"We're so busy helping out all the veterans groups, going to hospitals, helping the youth, that now we need a little help," member Brian Fennig said.

Post 208 is a self-funding organization that generates revenue through community-based events such as bingo, pancake breakfasts, hall rental and other functions. Only a small percentage of the revenue from those events is used to fund the post itself. The American Legion post also participates in Toys for Tots, Hines Hospital visits, American Legion Baseball, Frontier Days Festival, preparing care packages for active troops, providing Thanksgiving Dinner for Great Lakes Naval Station recruits, supporting homeless veteran organizations and hosting veteran's breakfasts. "Everything we do here is for the service of the veterans. It's our home, we open it up and it's their home too," Horn said.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.