OCEAN CITY, Md.- VFW Post 8296 on 66th Street is in serious jeopardy of having to close its doors. The post commander, Bob Shiffner said the post is struggling to stay afloat, due to a lack of volunteers and financial support.
The post is seeking volunteer help from the community. Shiffner said upkeep on the facility has dwindled and the number of active members is down as well.
Al Kessler has been a member of the VFW since 1977. Kessler said the Post 8296 holds a lot of memories and he does not want to see it go.
"To me it means a lot, years ago my wife, my family we all came here; this is a place that we need it, we should be here and I think everyone must do as much as they can and try to keep it here," Kessler said.
Kessler wishes he could do more during this troubling time.
"If I was ten years younger, I'd go down and sit underneath my flag, have people come to shake my hand and I'd charge them a dollar for donations to help the VFW and veterans that need it," Kessler said.
Shiffner said there is a simple solution, the post needs volunteers.
"We need people to help us out. The old guard is standing down and the new guard is a little fickle about coming and getting involved; but we need people to help out. The membership aged, moved away, died off and it's not being replaced by the younger generation coming in and helping, that's why we're reaching out to everyone who wants to help," Shiffner said.
Shiffner said you don't have to be a veteran to help, anyone can volunteer their time and services to the VFW. He said the costs of upkeep has cut into the Post's savings and fundraising events are hard to man.
Shiffner said, "The replenishment of the savings hasn't been coming back to us because our large events have been non-productive basically because of lack of volunteers."
Shiffner said money can't be raised if volunteer manpower is not sufficiently available.
The Post is holding one for now, but time is running out. Shiffner said the membership has voted to keep its charter and if they can't get volunteer help over the next few weeks the unfortunate decision has been made to sell the property.
Anyone wanting to volunteer their time to VFW Post 8296 should contact Post Commander, Bob Shiffner at 215-932-0816.
