Pa. veterans’ clubs try to keep doors open after coronavirus pandemic shutdown; some remain closed - PennLive

Two of Pennsylvania’s largest veterans’ organizations — Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion — say they remain committed to serving their local communities throughout the novel coronavirus pandemic, despite enduring financial strain.

The nonprofits are required to spend 60 percent of their small games of chance funds on community donations, but COVID-19 put a dent in that. The federal government is considering allowing posts to hold onto 100 percent of their proceeds to help weather the storm, but that may or may not be the answer to keep them operating.

“The Legion could always turn around and donate that 60 percent right back to their own nonprofit,” said Kit Watson, department adjutant for the Pennsylvania American Legion. “It’s not a game-changer for me.”

Veterans’ clubs earn money through membership dues, small games of chance, event proceeds, and liquor sales. The ones that have kitchens also make money through food sales. Just like other businesses trying to survive, veterans’ posts are no different.

Watson said he’s optimistic about the future, but added he’s also realistic that change is inevitable.

Forty years ago, there were nearly 900 American Legion posts in Pennsylvania. The commonwealth is now home to just over 700, Watson said. The coronavirus could force another wave of posts to close their doors indefinitely.

“Some of our posts have capitalized on food delivery and pick up,” Watson said. “Other posts are hurting. Not all of our posts have a kitchen to talk about and they are looking for a decent product. Rainy-day funds have been depleted. We’ve been paying utility bills and everything else even though we were shut down. No one has a crystal ball to see when this thing is going to be over. There is no end in sight of this thing as far as I’m concerned.”

Throughout the pandemic, the organizations offered resources to their clubs’ respective members. But, now that Pennsylvania has mostly reopened, the challenge is to get people to come back. Most, if not all, events have been canceled at posts across the commonwealth until at least November.

Posts in Allegheny County remain closed. Some in Philadelphia are trying to find ways to reopen. And, a handful of locations in central Pennsylvania are vigorously cleaning every day, following the law, and hoping to rebound soon.

When Gov. Tom Wolf gave Dauphin County the green light to reopen, Bill Yarnell, commander of American Legion Chapter 998 - Lawnton, likened his reopening to the feel of a “family reunion.”

“The problem we are having now is that a lot of people started going to other people’s houses and having BBQs. It’s hard for them to break that habit and come back into the legion,” he said.

Without members, which is about 700, and his crew at the legion post, he said it was just “an old, empty building.”

Yarnell, who said his post had plenty of money in the bank to manage the state’s shutdown orders, said he worked on building improvements and donated food to police officers and firefighters in March and April.

The biggest obstacle he’s facing now is enforcing that his members wear masks.

“The people really make the place,” he said. “I really, really miss them all. When we reopened, I told them that. About two hours later, they started complaining about the masks, so then I told them, well, I missed most of you."

Much of their 60 percent donations go toward Swatara Township Police K-9 unit, he said.

“This is more than just a social club,” Yarnell said. “Our members and volunteers step right up to help the community.”

Not too far away is Steelton Legion Post 420, where General Manager Calvin Johnson Sr. said his post is “just making ends meet right now.”

“We’re trying to find out when we can get 100 percent of our members back,” he said.

The shutdown caused his post to stop donating to Central Dauphin School District, and Steelton-Highspire High School cheerleaders and baseball teams. Additionally, the post typically sends money to the Ronald McDonald House and kids with cancer programs.

“As an American Legion, we not only serve our members but also our families,” Johnson said. “Older members aren’t coming out right now because of the pandemic; those who do, they are just coming out for the food. Most of them are wearing masks, but the numbers we have compared to this time last year; the pandemic has grossly affected our finances.”

Johnson’s Legion has slightly more than 400 members.

“Failure is not an option,” he said. “We’re going to reopen at 100 percent capacity. It’s going to take us a while to get back to where we were, but we’re going to get there.”

Lisa Iskric, Club Manager and Auxiliary Unit 420 President, said she thinks they’ll weather the storm.

“The American Legion nationally has been diligent in community affairs throughout the pandemic, and I believe that helps a lot with membership and people coming back,” she said. “We’ve actually gotten a few new members because of this. My main concern is our veterans and the community. We need each other to survive.”

There will be “some sort of normalcy” and veterans’ groups will continue to support one another, Watson said.

“I don’t know if we’re ever going to return to what we used to know,” he said. “This isn’t a Pennsylvania disease. It ravaged the whole world. We need a vaccine.”

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