Grafton Legion Hall in need of help

Rose-Harms American Post 355 in Grafton is in need of funds to help maintain its hall due to not hosting many events since last March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are a civic community and we want to support local groups, but the pandemic has put a damper on a lot of events we used to host, such as bingo, birthday celebrations, weddings, baby showers, funerals and other types of gatherings,” Chaplin and former Commander Ken Kasprzak said. “We are hoping with the current rollout of vaccines that we can get our affairs in order."

As the pandemic has in some way affected all organizations in the past year, it has also greatly affected the Grafton Legion. The Post has lost all of its income from hall rentals and bar sales since last March. Bingo has been canceled since last April and its tent rentals have been at an all time low due to the social distancing issues. The only thing that hasn’t changed is the Post’s expenses, which have grown to more than $12,000.

Recently, the walk-in cooler refrigeration unit failed and had to be replaced for $5,953. It’s furnace in the lower level also had to be replaced for $3,246 on top of six months of insurance premiums that cost $3,513, Legion officials said.

The Legion is also seeking funds to support a landscaping project at Veterans Memorial Park.

“All of this is in addition to normal upkeep and utility expenses,” Kaprzak said, noting the Post has a contingency fund that it usually uses to support other charitable causes like scholarships to Grafton High School students.

The Legion’s largest annual fundraising event, Las Vegas Night, was not held this year, but the Legion is selling raffle tickets to help support its cause, but Kasprzak said that will most likely not fulfill its needed income.

“Not being able to host these events is devastating to our Hall,” he said. “We want to continue our mission of supporting other local organizations, but the fact of the matter is no one has been holding social gatherings for a year.”

In addition to holding community gatherings, the Legion Hall also provides efforts to support charitable causes for children, veteran affairs and rehabilitation, national security and Americanism.

The Legion has approximately 500 members in its family, including members of the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion. Kasprzak said he hopes people from the outside can help support their cause.

“Any type of support for our cause is needed at this time,” Kasprzak said. “We want to continue our mission of supporting veterans and other groups.”

To make a donation to the Grafton Legion, call (262) 377-8887 or email rose-harms@graftonlegion.com.