Coming home may be the end of one journey for many of our veterans; it is also the beginning of a new journey to transition to a “new normal.” At the core of the purpose and service of the American Legion Auxiliary is helping them get there. Auxiliary members are passionate about providing care and comfort to our heroic U.S. servicemembers who are so highly deserving of everything we can possibly do for them.
At VA facilities, Auxiliary-sponsored gift shops and holiday parties have become a revered tradition and valued program. Members, units, and departments also purchase essential equipment and supplies for these facilities.
The Auxiliary joins with the VA as a national cosponsor of the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Auxiliary members also support special rehabilitative programs for our veterans such as Ride 2 Recovery. The Auxiliary’s Poppy Program provides therapy for handicapped and hospitalized veterans. By handcrafting Auxiliary memorial poppies, veterans can earn supplemental spending money through through memorial poppy sale proceeds. Whatever a veteran needs—job assistance, transportation, food, clothing, etc.—Auxiliary volunteers will do their best to provide it. With some troops currently in combat operations, others designated as "advise and assist" brigades, and many of our volunteer soldiers serving multiple deployments, our mission to assist veterans and their families as they transition back to civilian life has never been more relevant than it is today.
Purpose Statement
To initiate sponsors and participate in programs and services that assist and enhance the lives of veterans and their families, ensuring restoration and/or transition to normally functioning lives physically, mentally, socially, and vocationally.
Volunteer hours served: 6,407,917
Dollars raised or spent on veterans and military families: $10,053,573
VETERAN/MILITARY SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY
Homeless veterans served at activities: 100,093
Volunteer hours for welcome-home celebrations: 24,793
Veterans served through Veterans Creative Arts Festivals: 198,611
Ride 2 Recovery volunteer hours: 13,763
Volunteer hours for Fisher Houses: 10,928
Regularly scheduled VA facility volunteers: 77,190
VA hospital volunteer hours: 829,044
Number of poppies distributed: 7,219,701
Poppy dollars raised to support veterans: $3,070,636
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Cash aid to children of military: $3,178,114
Military children assisted: 5,418,257
Number of ALA Girls State/Girls Nation attendees: 20,133
Number of scholarships awarded: 117,284
FAMILY SUPPORT
American flags donated to schools: 3,683
Pocket flags sent to troops: 118,796
Auxiliary Emergency Fund donations received: $207,997
Grants awarded to Auxiliary Emergency Fund recipients: 149
Dollars awarded to Auxiliary Emergency Fund recipients: $194,044
Community Service Day of Service activities: 49,361
Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation National Chairman
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Nancy Brown-Park
Department of California
VA&R@ALAforVeterans.org
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