Craig Daily Press

Craig — With greater numbers comes greater responsibility.

This is the case for the Craig American Legion Post No. 62, which in recent years has seen its membership — and its mission — dramatically expand.

In April 2004, the Post had about 17 members. Today, that number is more than 100, Post Commander Mel Shockley said.

As membership numbers expanded, so has the Post’s community outreach goal, he said.

“As the mission gets bigger, the funding needs to get bigger,” said Shockley, post commander for nearly four years.

“We’re trying to raise additional funds to better implement our programs. … We need the public’s support, bottom line.”

Next month, the American Legion is tentatively scheduled to launch a public bingo night twice a month to drum up money for its assortment of programs, scholarship offerings and veterans services.

“We don’t want it to interfere with everyone else’s games,” Shockley said, of bingo nights hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary and Elk’s Club.

The Post’s bingo night, which could begin Feb. 16, will be scheduled around the days and weeks of the other two clubs, he added.

Money raised through the event will go toward paying for the Post’s two primary missions — “taking care of veterans and their families, and then the citizens of this community,” Shockley said.

Five days a week, the Post offers activities at its headquarters, the former Shadow Moun­tain Clubhouse on County Road 7, for seniors and the general public. It also sponsors a youth baseball team, a Tiger, Boys and Cub scouts pack, and scholarships for area students.

Those offerings take money, Shockley said.

“Basically, we need to make money to help our funding situation,” he said, adding that the Post regularly applies for grant money, as well.

The Post initially will offer its bingo night at the Elk’s Club, 43 W. Victory Way, until it obtains its own equipment. The events will take place every other Saturday to avoid competing with the other bingo nights.

Shockley said the Post hopes bingo night becomes a permanent offering in Craig.

“This is going to be from here on out,” he said. “If we make money, we’ll keep it going forever.”

For more information, call the American Legion Post at 824-3625.