American Legion Post 26 in Niles could be forced to move from its current location because of financial difficulties, according to Post Commander John Sly.

“Right now, I know for sure we can be here until at least the end of August,” said Sly. “After that, I just don’t know.”

The veterans’ service organization currently rents the former Elks Club space, located at 104 N. 3rd St.

Sly, an Army veteran who served in Desert Storm in the early ‘90s, said the organization has recently run into financial difficulties due to a few reasons.

One is decreased participation in bingo nights — one of the Legion’s primary revenue sources.

The other is that the legion spent thousands of dollars to bring a traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall to Niles last year.

“We were expecting more donations than what was received (for the wall),” he said. “We would do it all over again, even knowing what I know now.”

Sly said rent on its current building is 10 percent of the monthly proceeds from bingo night. However, he said the legion’s biggest regular expense is paying for utilities. That bill was $900 in May.

In addition to bingo, the legion receives some revenue from membership dues, renting the building hall and renting tables and chairs.

Sly said the legion has around 249 members, including 27 lifelong members who do not pay dues.

The legion plans on holding fundraisers in the near future to generate enough money to stay in its current building.

The only one planned now is a car wash from 9 to 5 p.m. June 20 in the parking lot of Advance Auto at 900 S. 11th St., Niles.

People can also support the legion by coming to bingo nights, renting from the legion or making a straight donation.

Sly said, if the legion has to move, it would find a place in which to hold its monthly meetings, like the library, a church or the Eagles Lodge.

The legion wouldn’t be in danger of losing its charter, Sly said, unless its membership dropped below 15.

“It would be a long time before that would happen,” he said.