MARTINS FERRY — Martins Ferry American Legion Post 38 is launching a Queen of Hearts fundraising campaign to restore the legion bowling alley.

The event will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday.

Martins Ferry American Legion member Joe Klug said tickets must be purchased by 6:30 p.m. on the day of the drawing.

“We’re going to hold it every Friday until it gets hit, and then, hopefully, we’ll continue on if it’s a real success for us,” Klug said.

Klug said there will be a ticket machine in the hallway at the legion inside the bowling alley entrance at the back of the building.

Tickets will be available to purchase anytime that the legion is open. The machine takes cash only.

“They just walk in and purchase their ticket, sign them and drop them in right there,” Klug said.

A flier is also posted inside the legion next to the machine with the official rules for the drawing.

The legion is open from noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Klug said the winner of the drawing will receive 60% of the pot of money if they are present for the drawing.

Winners who are not present will receive 40%.

“10% always goes back to start the new pot, and the legion will get to keep 30%,” Klug explained.

Klug said non-members are welcome to participate in the event.

“Everyone’s welcome to come and join the fun,” he said.

The drawing will take place in the main hall that was recently renovated. Klug asks that non-members stay in the hall and that seating at the bar is for members only.

“Standing for a veteran is one of the ways we show respect. Members understand giving a seat to a veteran shows respect for their service and sacrifice,” Klug said.

“All the amenities will be over there in the hall, like drinks and things like that. They won’t be shut off to the other side. We’re just trying to keep that for members only on the cantina side, but I’m sure people will flow back and forth because everybody knows everybody,” Klug added.

Klug said that if the first few drawings see a good turnout, the legion may offer dinner to the public in the future.

“We’re hoping as this goes that the kitchen will be open and we’ll have fish dinners on Friday night or hamburgers or french fries, but we’re afraid to start that until we see some people that want to come in,” Klug said.

Klug hopes the event also encourages more people to become members of the legion.

“We’re always looking for more new members,” he said. “We’re hoping it’s a nice big success for everybody in town and just give everybody something new on a Friday night for a couple of hours.”

Klug said his top priority for the fundraising proceeds is to repair the roof of the bowling alley. He said the alley has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the legion has not had the funds to repair it.

“It started wearing, and with no income from the bowling alley we couldn’t do any upkeep or anything for it,” he said. “We had to start somewhere, and we had to try to figure something out and that’s why we started this.”

Klug said the legion has gotten estimates for repair of the roof from several contractors, and the project is expected to cost a little over $100,000.

“We know what it’s going to cost. That’s the worst part, and that’s the scary part I guess you can say,” he said.

He said that the legion’s finances are “stretched as far as they can go.”

Klug said that after the roof work is completed, he would like to make some additional upgrades to the facility.

“We will be upgrading some of the scoring and just having someone come and redo the electronics and stuff like that,” he said.

Klug posted information about the event on Facebook: “Our bowling alley has been a cornerstone of our community for many years providing countless hours of competition, joy, laughter and comradery. However, like any cherished establishment, it requires a makeover to ensure it remains a welcoming space for generations to come. Through this revitalization project, we aim to enhance the overall experience, upgrade the building/facilities and create an enjoyable environment for our community.”

Klug said the main hall of the legion has already had its hall roof and kitchen roof repaired.

Klug thanked Jeff Sommer, member and treasurer of the Sons of the American Legion, who is helping to lead the campaign. He also said that auxiliary member Dorothy Powell donated new tables and chairs to the legion in honor of her late husband, legion member Duane Powell.

For more information about the event, visit Legion Post 38 at 221 Zane Highway, Martins Ferry, or visit the Martins Ferry American Legion Post 38 Facebook group.