CARIBOU, Maine — The American Legion in Caribou is among the countless organizations and businesses that have suffered financial losses due to COVID-19, but many in the community have stepped up to help the organization through fundraising events or private donations.
Cuppy Johndro, commander of the Henry B. Pratt Jr. Post 15 Legion in Caribou, said they were hit hard earlier this year when COVID-19 restrictions led to the cancellation of several events crucial to the organization’s financial success.
She said they had to purchase an $1,800 license at the start of the year in order to host Texas Hold’em, which mostly ended up going to waste as the game requires people sitting closely together at a table. Bingo, another popular event that benefits the legion, was canceled until June.
She estimated that the cancellation of these regular events has lost the organization roughly $12,000.
Unexpected expenses occurred in August when a paraglider took out the Legion’s flagpole, as well as a nearby power line, during an emergency landing.
Johndro said that while the paraglider was not insured, the Legion was able to file after the incident and had to pay a $2,500 deductible.
“Thanks to some local people, we were able to make up the difference,” she said.
She said that, despite rumors circulating on social media, the matter is being handled through their insurance company and the Legion is not attempting to sue the man in the paraglider or take him to small claims court. She said they have been lucky enough to receive community support to help them out, including a $1,000 donation from the local Masons.
She said the donation came as a result of support from Woodland Troop 186 Scoutmaster David Spooner, who is also a member of the local Mason organization.
“They said if the Boy Scouts could raise $500 they could match it, and that’s how the $1,000 donation came to be,” Johndro said.
Johndro said the Legion was recently able to hold its first Texas Hold’em game since the start of the pandemic. Before the virus hit, the Legion was doing phenomenally, she said.
“We are just starting to get back on track,” she said. “People were tired of sitting at home, so they’re coming out to support us.”
Johndro said the organization has received numerous donations from local businesses and organizations as well as from residents.
The Legion is now holding bingo every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday as well as Texas Hold’Em on the first and third Saturday of each month. They’re also planning an upcoming hunters breakfast on Nov. 28.
“We appreciate people coming and being patient, because we can only have 50 in the building,” she said. “We are constricted by the law, and unfortunately, because of the square footage, we are maintaining 50 in the building. We don’t want to take the chance of infecting somebody.”
