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For Post 248, It's Game On

Photo by KELVIN MA/staff

Eddie Diaz, who helped reopen American Legion Post 248, runs the Bingo table at the Legion's hall on Nov. 27, 2007. The Bingo nights, which happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays, have grown in the past few months, Diaz said, with last week's crowd growing to 42 people and $70 pots.

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

Updated: 12/06/2007 06:23 pm

WEST TAMPA - As the numbers were announced, Jim Thompson used a green blotter to mark out the corresponding numbers on his 18 bingo cards.

"You ever play this?" he asked, quickly glancing over the cards. "It is very relaxing."

The 81-year-old West Tampa resident is happy playing the game, but it is the rebirth of the location that strikes at his heart.

Thompson was among 24 bingo players recently at the West Tampa Memorial American Legion Post 248, 2105 N. Jamaica St. The post was closed in 2004 because of the aging membership, low participation and maintenance issues.

Thompson is a former post commander and was bingo chairman for 25 years, back when the night games drew 140 people, and competitors had four chances to win $250.

The return of bingo at Thompson's old haunt brings back memories and instills pride.

"I am hoping they make a go of it," said Thompson, who served in the Navy during World War II.

The reopening of the 1948 building was spearheaded by Eddie Diaz, who moved his business, Online Solutions, and his staff of three into a rented office at the 7,100-square-foot hall in October.

Diaz, the post's finance officer, said he moved his business so someone would be available to meet with post members, prospective members or people wanting to rent the hall.

The post has invested $30,000 to repair the building's roof, air conditioning and electrical, Diaz said.

Manned by members and volunteers, Post 248 in October started hosting bingo nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The organization plans to hold poker games and dances. It has been renting out the building since 2006 for events including birthday parties and wedding receptions.

Diaz said he wants to create a meeting place for veterans and the community and take on projects such as providing college scholarships and assisting homeless veterans.

With an aging membership of 50, the organization created the Sons of the American Legion to attract veterans' children and grandchildren.

Diaz hopes the membership creates a fun atmosphere, joins the Gasparilla parade and hosts fundraising drives but maintains its focus on veterans and community issues.

"I am not going to walk away from this place," said Diaz, 56, a Navy veteran from 1971-73.

Diaz's relatives were Post 248 founders and members; the organization was founded in 1945 and originally met at the West Tampa Library.

As a youngster, he attended regular Sunday spaghetti dinners at the hall, as well as fundraisers, weddings and junior high dances.

"I am trying to do something that I think people have forgotten about, which is servicing the community," Diaz said.

"We, as a society, don't focus on doing things together," he said.

Robert Reno, the post's commander, joined the organization because he wanted to get involved with a veterans group and help veterans. Reno, of Gibsonton, created the organization's Web site, www.post248.com.

"We want to get back to where it was, so people have something to look forward to," said Reno, 39, an Internet programmer for Kforce and an Air Force veteran from 1986-98.

He and others credit Diaz for the post's progress.

"He isn't looking for personal gain," said Richard Heinich, a post member and a Vietnam veteran. "He just wants to help. He is a philanthropist, I guess. He is a good guy."

POST 248 FUNDRAISER

WHAT: Christmas dinner and dance

WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 15

WHERE: American Legion Post 248, 2105 N. Jamaica St.

COST: $15

CALL: (813) 876-3697

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

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