Blaine’s American Legion Post 86 is looking to upgrade its accessibility for people with limited mobility, and is asking for the community’s help.
The more than 50-year-old Legion Hall, at 4580 Legion Drive, has been a place for veterans and their families to socialize, unwind, build community, and even play a few friendly games of poker. As veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars age, organizers have seen it become more difficult for some patrons to get to the hall’s second floor, which is accessed by a switchback-style ramp.
Post 86 first vice commander Dennis Kaiser said that while the current ramps comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the climb can still be daunting for older veterans. Some, Kaiser said, have stopped coming to Post 86 because of the effort the ramp requires.
“We’ve had older members coming in because they can still use the walker on the long ramp,” Kaiser said. “We’ve had others who say they don’t come in anymore because it’s just too difficult to get to the second floor.”
The solution? Constructing a lift that would allow anyone to access Post 86’s second floor, where most of the recreational and social activities are held.
Talks about fundraising and permitting began nearly two years ago, but new lifts aren’t cheap, Kaiser said. With the price of a lift about $40,000, combined with construction costs, insurance and the necessary upkeep, Kaiser estimates the facility needs to raise $141,000.
Post 86 started a GoFundMe campaign online that has raised about $2,600 as of press time, and Kaiser said Post 86 has roughly $25,000 in funds committed for the lift. That leaves a gap that Kaiser hopes the local community can help bridge.
“It’s got to be a collective effort,” Kaiser said. “We definitely have had a number of organizations in the community that have been willing to step up and help.”
Those organizations include local rotary clubs, chambers of commerce, small businesses and even other American Legion posts around the state and in Canada, Kaiser said. Post 86 partnered with KISM radio last winter for a fundraising drive.
Kaiser’s father fought in Vietnam and died years later of cancer that he said was related to exposure to Agent Orange during his service. When Kaiser comes to the hall and sees family members helping their fathers into the building, he often thinks about his father in what would have been his 85th year.
“Maybe my dad would need that lift today if he were around,” Kaiser said. “I certainly see that in a lot of these fellas who come by today.”
Post 86, the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the Legion Squadron have up to around 500 members combined.
For those interested in donating, visit the American Legion Post 86 for an in-person donation or make a donation via GoFundMe at bit.ly/4f6gDXW.
Correction: A previous version of the article misstated the position of Dennis Kaiser. Kaiser is the former post commander and currently serves as the first vice commander. We regret the error.
