MUSCIAL GUESTS — Local band Route 45 performed at a block party held Saturday by Follansbee American Legion Post 45 to raise funds for a new headquarters. The event also included music by the Cross Creek Band, a bounce house, dunk tank, lots of food and lots of prizes to be won through a Chinese auction. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — The community came together on Saturday evening for some summer fun and to help a longtime organization to raise funds for a new base of operations.

With the help of the Follansbee Garibaldi Lodge and many others, members of Emrys Watkins American Legion Post 45 organized a block party to support the establishment of a new post home.

Its current headquarters on the corner of Main and Raymond streets was condemned after an 8-foot arch that was part of its facade collapsed backward into its flat roof, crashing through the first floor, used for storage, and into the second floor.

Post Commander Rob Hilt said the arch had been struck by lightning during the April 29 thunderstorm that wreaked havoc on much of the Ohio Valley.

Hilt said the post has explored other locations but would prefer to rebuild at the building’s present site.

ON TARGET — Zane Albaugh, 16, of Weirton hits the target for a dunk tank, causing West Virginia American Legion Adjutant Tom Mirabella to crash into the water a split second later during a block party held Saturday by Follansbee American Legion Post 45 to raise funds for a new headquarters. -- Warren Scott

He said the post has filed a claim with its insurance provider but is awaiting an assessment so members don’t know how much, if anything, they can expect to receive for the damages.

Keith Brown, a Post 45 member and state membership chairman-elect, said he has approached local representatives to the state legislature for help.

And past Post 45 commander Tom Mirabella — who oversees more than 100 American Legion posts as state adjutant — said he’s encouraged the post to apply for help from the national American Legion’s emergency assistance fund.

The post has begun receiving online donations through https://www.wvlegion.org/store/

Mirabella was among several who served as targets for a dunk tank positioned outside the lodge on Broad Street.

Randy Albaugh of Weirton watched as his son, Zane, fired a ball at the target, successfully plunging Mirabella into the tank below.

He said the post had teamed recently with the Hancock County Special Olympics to hold a dinner-dance benefiting the two groups, then donated all of its proceeds to the Special Olympics program.

“They’re really good people. It was very kind of them. I hope this goes well for them,” said Albaugh.

Nearby children were enjoying a bounce house while auxiliary members and other members sold food and many attendees gathered to hear the music of Route 45 and the Cross Creek Band.

Those wanting to cool off could step into the lodge, where tables filed with gift baskets and other prizes for a Chinese auction stretched around one a half walls.

Hilt expressed appreciation to the many businesses, organizations and individuals who donated the prizes and to members of the Garibaldi Lodge, for making their building available.

“Without them, this wouldn’t have happened,” he said.

It’s not the first time the two have worked together, having teamed in the past with other local groups to support students selected to participate in the Mountaineer Boys State youth leadership program.

Brown was hopeful the post will be able to overcome its current obstacle.

“Post 45 has been here a long time and we need to keep it in the community,” he said.

According to a history published for Follansbee’s 75th anniversary, the post was chartered in 1927 and met at various locations before moving into the present building, a former theater, in 1937.

It states members assumed the cost and labor for all renovations.

It adds that veterans in the post were vital to recovery efforts following the 1936 flood, going as far as to stand guard over homes that residents were forced to temporarily vacate.

Through the years, monuments to local veterans and the families who supported them have been established outside the post home.

Also outside it is a board bearing the names of Follansbee area residents who served in World War II.

Hilt said whatever becomes of the present location, plans call for them to remain in place.

Of the post’s ongoing efforts, he said, “We’re just trying to plug along, stay positive.”