CONDEMNED — A tarp has been placed over part of the roof of the American Legion Post 45 hall that collapsed after part of its facade fell through it. Since then, the building at the corner of Main and Raymond streets has been condemned. The post will be holding a block party, in cooperation with the Follansbee Garibaldi Lodge, on Saturday evening to raise funds for a new location. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — Since its headquarters has been condemned, the Follansbee American Legion is pursuing a new location, including possibly a new building at the same site, and will be holding a block party on Saturday to raise funds for the effort.

Rob Hilt, the post’s recently elected commander, said the 8-foot arch that was part of the building’s facade collapsed backward into its flat roof, crashing through the second floor, used for storage, and into the first floor.

Hilt said no one was harmed, and it wasn’t discovered until the bartender found the bathroom ceiling was leaking.

He said the post has filed a claim with its insurance provider and is waiting to learn what it may receive for the damages.

He said the building sustained damage when it was struck by lightning during the April 29 storm that caused damage to many properties across the Ohio Valley.

He said he would like to build a new post home at the same site, using the existing foundation, but he doesn’t know if that’s financially feasible.

He said he and other post leaders have considered other buildings in the city but haven’t found one that wouldn’t require renovations they currently can’t afford.

Hilt added state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Wellsburg, has agreed to explore funds that may be available to help the post while online donations may be made to the post at https://www.wvlegion.org/store/

He said there’s no fee required for the website, so all donations will go to the post.

Area residents also can support the Follansbee American Legion by attending a block party to be held in cooperation with the Follansbee Garibaldi Lodge at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Starting at 4 p.m., the event will include food, a bounce house, a Chinese auction, 50-50 drawing and live music by the bands Route 45 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Cross Creek from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Attendees also will have an opportunity to propel special guests into a dunk tank or throw a pie at one of the city’s police officers.

Other fundraisers have been held to support the post, including a kickball game between pupils and staff at Brooke Middle School that raised more than $700.

Outside the post home are a handful of monuments to the city’s veterans, including a new fountain installed in 2021 at a cost of $10,000, and a board bearing the names of Follansbee area residents who served in World War II.

It has been the scene of many Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances through the years. Because the building had been closed, James Funeral Home invited the post to hold this year’s Memorial Day service there instead.

Hilt said post leaders had invested several thousand dollars in new flooring, a new ceiling and other improvements to the building last year.

“It’s all ruined now,” he said.

But Hilt said they aren’t discouraged.

“We’re trying. We’re not giving up. We’re a little beat up, but we’re not defeated,” he said.