LIVERMORE FALLS — Next Wednesday will mark the end to Bingo at the American Legion George Bunten Post 10 Hall after more than 40 years. The reason is declining attendance.
“It’s a very, sad time,” Post Adjutant Don Simoneau said Friday. “I don’t know where we’re going to go.”
Proceeds from the games have been used to support the many programs the Legion sponsors.
The number of Bingo players has been declining for many years and the Post has had to close the games while it looks for new ways to support its many functions and programs, Simoneau said.
“To those who have played Bingo at the Post we say ‘thank you’ for all your support through the many years,” he said.
A donation-collection to help keep the Post’s doors open will be held Thursday, Nov. 4, and Friday, Nov. 5, on Main Street, near the Jay, Livermore Falls line. Post 10 members will hold collection buckets for those wishing to donate.
“With each donation the individual will receive a small American flag to help remind all that freedom is not free and American veterans have stood up for freedom since 1776,” Simoneau said.
The Post does not have a club room, where alcohol is sold, like some other veterans organizations, he said. Other organizations also hold Bingo, he said.
“When we shut down Bingo, we’re also going to hurt our Auxiliary,” Simoneau said. That group sells food at Bingo games to support their programs.
“If we have 40 to 42 people come in to play, we could make a profit but we can’t make a profit with 27 or 17,” he said. Three weeks ago 17 people played Bingo and on Wednesday, 27, he said.
When he first started about 20 years ago, there were 56 players each night, he said.
“We hope we can refigure Bingo in January or so, but I’m not sure we can do that,” Simoneau said.
Since July 19, Post 10 has worked to support area veterans with their needs, from making sure every local veteran’s grave is marked with an American flag for Memorial Day, to helping with veterans’ services, veterans’ legislation and assisting with trips to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Togus for veterans, he said.
Post 10 has also supported child and youth programs such as scholarships and Boys State and educational programs, including teaching fourth-graders the meaning of Veterans Day, Simoneau said.
Before the American Legion, area veterans were part of a local group known as the Grand Army of the Republic Post 38, Civil War veterans, he said.
The Post and previous GAR Post 38 have been part of every Memorial Day, Veterans Day and most other area celebrations or memorial services for more than 100 years, Simoneau said.
Since 1919 the Grand Army of the Republic occupied the building at 17 Reynolds Ave. and gave it to Post 10.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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