SIDNEY — Sidney American Legion Post 217 is asking for the public’s help in resurfacing its parking lot.
The Legion celebrated 100years of service to Sidney on Oct. 12. Over the years, the Post has provided college scholarships, provided support to Buckeye Boys and Girls State for high schoolers, provided an Honor Guard unit to honor fallen military veterans and for local celebrations and events. The Post also sponsors both the American Legion Baseball program and American Legion Junior Legion Baseball teams. Both teams are made up of county-wide high schoolers. The Post also supports many other youth programs.
For weddings, funerals, business meetings, etc., the Post provides very affordable rentals to these groups and organizations. For 501(c) organizations like the Community Blood Center and Shelby County United Way, their missions are supported with the assistance of Post 217’s generosity. The Community Blood Center holds their important blood drives there, while the Shelby County Way kicks off and celebrates the community’s most important annual fund drive.
The Post, in its 100 year history, has never sought any outside help to support its missions to the community. However, the Post needs to resurface its parking lot and has requested the community assist in providing financial support. Federal tax laws requires that at least 50% of its revenue must go towards community outreach programs. This leaves very little funds for the Post to operate on. The problem of revenue is exacerbated because of declining membership. In the last two years, the Post’s Honor Guard unit, unfortunately, has honored nearly a 100 veterans, as their loved ones said one last good-bye. As a result, the declining membership has struggled to raise enough funds to complete the parking resurfacing project on its own.
Dale Peterson, of Post 217, is asking the community to consider a gift of any size to help with the resurfacing of the parking lot project. Peterson stated the community’s support will be greatly appreciated by the Post in its support of their community mission projects. Post 217 is a 501 (c)19 charitable organization. Make the check payable and mail or send it online to: Sidney American Legion Post 217, Attn: “Parking Lot,” 1265 Fourth Ave., P.O. Box 297, Sidney, OH45365.
