The historic Tri-State Military Veterans Museum and Belmont American Legion Post 312 are preparing to ask for community help by asking for donations as the 2026 fundraising campaign begins.

Museum director Cheryl J. Skinner said that the campaign will provide for the museum’s operating expenses and will help with the 250th birthday celebration for the United States which is presently being planned.

“All donations are tax exempt and may be made in memory of individual veterans or on behalf of your business or organization. We thank you for your consideration of our campaign and we look forward to meeting you during a future visit,” Skinner said. “We’re going to be mailing out a bunch of flyers to different businesses and Legion posts and VFWs.”

The museum is located at 101 E. Barrister Street, Belmont and has existed to keep the honor and memories of military men and women alive and to share their life-experiences with future generations.

“The brainchild of Ms. Cheryl J. Skinner, Tri-State MVM is a non-profit charitable organization, operating on grants and donations, including those of fundraising campaigns as well as those given by our visitors. We have no admission fee and no paid workers,” volunteer Mary Ann Droll said. “We are a group of volunteers who love our country and our veterans and we are pleased to partner with the Belmont American Legion Post 312.”

She said the museum educates as well as honors veterans and their families.

“The museum is also educational. It’s not just a historical museum, but it’s educational, too,” Droll said. “We want youngsters to learn about our country’s military history and how somebody fought for this country and for the freedoms that they have and that’s what we’re doing.”

She added that Post 312 is one of the area’s few dry American Legion Posts.

Its headquarters are housed in a 1800’s church building which has served congregations of Quakers, Presbyterians and Methodists before being purchased by Post 312 in 1935.

Both the Post and the Museum rely on fundraisers, charitable donations and whatever grants can be secured.

Skinner said that the campaign will begin on Feb. 2 and continue throughout the month.

“February is Valentine’s month and we at the Museum and Post 312 truly love our veterans and want to honor them beyond the dates of our country’s standard holidays,” she said.

To send a donation, in memory of your veteran, or on behalf of your business or organization, mail your check or money order to the museum at P.O. BOX 382, Belmont, Ohio, 43718.

“Your gift is a tax deduction and will be greatly appreciated since donations supply our chief funding,” Post 312 posted on its Facebook page where donation forms can be filled out online.

Skinner said that the donations will be split equally between the museum and Post 312.

“We’re all in this together, for the same reason,” she said. “The main reason is our veterans and those who have served and those who have passed away.”

Skinner added that in August the museum will be hosting an Agent Orange Awareness Day which will see her placing orange candles out.