VFW Magazine: Gaming proceeds aid community: a West Virginia town strikes it rich thanks to a VFW Po

In Chester, W. Va., VFW Post 6450 serves as a community guardian, of sorts. In the past year, the Post has donated nearly $275,000 to various community endeavors. The recipients of the Post's generosity include the fire and police departments, all of the schools and several scholarship foundations.

The Post became a "Diamond Donor" in August when it contributed $100,000 toward construction of the new Oak Glen Middle School scheduled to open next fall. The school will house more than 650 students.

According to Rick Barnabei, the school district's assistant superintendent, the money was specifically used for the addition of two classrooms.

"This was such a great thing for them to do," Barnabei said. "They didn't have to give us anything, let alone that much." He added that this school was built with no additional taxes levied to area taxpayers.

Throughout the years, the school district has come to rely on the Post to help out with various expenses. When the wrestling team needed a new weight room, the Post saw to it they got what they needed.

"We paid for that new wrestling room at Oak Glen High School, and they've been state champs for 10 years," said John Ash, Post junior vice commander. "We give to the cheerleaders, football team ... whoever needs the money."

Another contribution in the amount of $60,000 went to the Chester Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of 18 air packs for firemen to combat structural fires.

Federal laws mandated that the department update the existing air packs or purchase new ones. Chester Fire Chief John Hissam thought the department would have to borrow money over a 10-year period to purchase the packs, which cost about $3,500 each. When VFW stepped in, Hissam was elated. "This was a godsend," he said.

Other fire departments reaped the rewards, as well. Those in Lawrenceville, Newell, New Manchester and, of course, Chester, each received a $20,000 donation. And in July of last year, the city of Chester received a new $27,000 police cruiser--the second the Post has purchased for it.

These donations don't even include those the Post has made to the booster club, Make-a-Wish Foundation, United Way and Tri-State Area Citizens Scholarship Foundation.

A Win-Win Situation

Through legalized gambling in West Virginia (it was made legal in January 2002), the Post found a way to provide entertainment and support its community. In 2002, the Post purchased 10 video lottery machines for $10,000 each. According to Ash, legalized gambling pulls folks in from neighboring Pennsylvania and Ohio, where gambling is illegal.

"We net about $3,000 a day off the lottery machines," Ash said. "We are mandated to pay half of the net after pay-outs to the state, and the money we have left goes back to the community."

Ash said in addition to the larger donations, the Post also makes monthly contributions to community organizations that help the needy. "We were giving money long before we added our lottery machines," he said. "Now we're just able to give more."