Across the nation, members of the Legion family assisted others with food and presents, as well as hosting holiday parties for area children.
Less than a month after American Legion Family members across the nation focused their efforts assisting others at Thanksgiving, the organization’s volunteers have been at it again during the holiday season.
Whether it was hosting children’s parties, working to assist families facing food insecurity or providing presents to those in need, these American Legion Family members exhibited the very best of the holiday spirit of giving.
The following are a few examples of those efforts. American Legion Family members who provided holiday assistance or hosted community events are encouraged to share their stories and photos at www.legiontown.org.
Alabama
In Pelham, members of Post 555’s American Legion Family delivered gift bags to patients at the Birmingham VA Health Care System.
Arizona
· In Tucson, American Legion Post 36 distributed 100 Christmas stockings to airmen living in the barracks at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, and also donated 125 pairs of socks to veterans at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and another 250 to VA Volunteer Services.
· In Yuma, American Legion Post 19 hosted its annual Children’s Christmas Party, giving the guests the opportunity to meet Santa, receive gifts, participate in games and take train rides.
· In Solomon, American Legion Lopez-Hernandez Post 85 hosted its seventh annual Christmas party for special needs children, providing a dinner, presents, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Arkansas
In Clarendon, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 80’s annual Angel Tree Project again is providing Christmas gifts to Monroe County foster children. Members of the community donate to the effort, whether monetarily or by buying toys or clothing.
Whatever donations that are left over will be used to purchase food gift cards from a local grocery store to be distributed to foster families.
Florida
In Middleburg, Post 250’s American Legion Family put together 200 gift bags for attendees at its Kids Christmas Party. The post also collected donations to provide food baskets for struggling families.
Georgia
In Alpharetta, American Legion Post 201 teamed with local businesses and other community members to donate toys and around 100 bicycles to children during the holiday season. Post 201 did so in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program.
“They may never have had a bike,” Post 201 Financial Assistant DiAna Casale said. “It’s a great opportunity to give to those less fortunate.”
Illinois
In Elmhurst, American Legion THB Post 187 hosted its annual Kids Christmas Party. The event featured gifts and photos with Santa, hot chocolate, a sweets table, balloon artist, letter writing to Santa, a Christmas-themed bounce house, games and more. The party was free to Legion Family members, as well as the children of veterans and first responders.
Maine
· In Camden, War Memorial Post 30 collected gifts for eight veterans living at Bartlett Woods, a residential facility in Rockland.
· In Rumford, Post 24’s American Legion Family loaded up three vehicles with gifts, gift cards and donations for a female veteran and her children in need of financial support. In addition to Post 24, donations also came from other Department of Maine Legion Family members and others in the community. “We cannot thank everyone enough for all the outpouring of genuine support for this veteran,” Department of Maine Commander and Post 24 member Tricia Shahan Thurston wrote on Facebook. “From the moment the need was posted you stepped up to help. From our local members, community and our American Legion Family across Maine, you all did a phenomenal job bringing items and sending gifts our way so that we could deliver them. Thanks to you all, she and her children will have a wonderful Christmas that will extend into the New Year!”
Maryland
In Brunswick, Steadman-Keenan Post 96’s Legion Family’s Kids Christmas Party included visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a crafts table and refreshments.
Massachusetts
In Ashby, Holmes-Curran-Bennett American Legion Post 361provided a turkey dinner that included Christmas songs being sung for local Girl Scouts. More than 60 people attended the free dinner, while another 45 meals were delivered or carried out from the post.
Michigan
In Howell, Post 141’s annual Children’s Christmas Party included a magician, coloring, decorating cookies and face painting. Santa made an appearance and delivered a present to each child.
The post also hosted a public Christmas dinner and provided meal delivery.
Minnesota
· In St. Stephen, American Legion Post 221 provided Christmas baskets for veterans living alone or in assisted-living facilities.
· In Park Rapids, American Legion Post 212’s annual Children’s Christmas party – a collaborative Legion-Auxiliary effort – meant hundreds of local children had the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as receive a gift and candy bag. Attending families also were treated to a hot dog lunch.
Missouri
In Union, American Legion Post 297 raised funds to provide Christmas cheer for veterans living at Sunset HealthCare, Union Care Center, Willow Brooke, Victorian Manor and St. James Veterans Home. The post also sent care packages to recent Union High School graduates now serving in the U.S. military.
Auxiliary Unit 297 also assisted with the Union Parks and Recreation Department’s children’s Christmas party.
Nebraska
In Grand Island and Omaha, members of the American Legion Auxiliary again set up gift shops at the VA medical centers located there. Veterans are allowed to pick out three items for themselves or four gifts for family members. Auxiliary members also wrap up the presents for the veterans.
“It’s the best feeling because some of these veterans will be here for Christmas, unfortunately, because they’re having procedures or other things done,” Nebraska Department President Amanda Washburn said. “And they may not have anyone to take them out to get presents for their families or they may not get anything themselves for Christmas.”
Nevada
In Fallon, members of Fred W. Anderson Post 16 will spend part of Christmas Day preparing, packing and delivering meals to area seniors through Meals on Wheels. The post delivered more than 140 on Thanksgiving and had another 81 picked up.
The post also will host a community sit-down dinner on Christmas.
New York
In Candor, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 907 hosted its Children’s Christmas Party that included visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus and some of their elves. Each child also received a gift, snacks and a candy cane.
North Carolina
In Jacksonville, American Legion Burton-Cowell Post 265 collected boxes of toys that were presented to Toys for Tots at the post’s annual Christmas party.
Auxiliary Unit 265 also purchased and wrapped presents for veterans residing in local nursing homes.
Ohio
· In Portsmouth, American Legion Post 471 and American Legion Riders Chapter 471 provided one toy for each child in the first-grade classes at Portsmouth West Elementary. Post 471 also provided gifts for veterans at the Concord Health & Rehabilitation Center.
· In Madison, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 122 set up a Giving Tree to provide winter clothing to area families in need. Unit 122 also hosted a Christmas toy giveaway, providing a gift bag to children ages 14 and under, and a special treat to children 15 and over.
· In Continental, Post 541’s American Legion Family is hosting its second annual free community Christmas dinner and also will deliver meals on Christmas Day.
· In Steubenville, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 33 conducted its annual Christmas party for area veterans residing in three nursing homes. The party included transportation to the post, lunch, entertainment, a visit from Santa and gift bags that contained new pajamas, a blanket, crayons and coloring books. Leftovers from the meal were taken to Friendship Room, which helps feed those in the community facing food insecurity.
Pennsylvania
In Weatherly, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 delivered birthday cards and Christmas cards to veterans at the Southeastern VA Medical Center.
Tennessee
In Spencer, American Legion Post 207’s Christmas party provided children with gifts that were delivered by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Texas
· In Mt. Vernon, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 243’s free Community Children’s Christmas Party provided food, gifts and photos with Santa.
· In San Antonio, Gunsmoke Post 579 hosted a Christmas party attended by 54 children and also provided food boxes that were distributed to area families. The boxes are going to 45 families from three area elementary schools.
Vermont
In Brattleboro, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 5 teamed with its counterparts from Veterans of Foreign War 1034 to host a Christmas party for area children and their families. Nearly 60 children and their families visited with Santa and his elves, made ornaments and bells, and decorated Christmas cookies.
Each child also received a present, stocking and candy cane. Families were provided with snacks and had their pictures taken in a photo booth.
Washington
· In Edmonds, American Legion Post 66 and VFW Post 8870 donated hundreds of toys and boxes of food to the Edmonds Food Bank and United Methodist Church for distribution to families need. The items were collected at the posts’ Christmas party.
· In Burlington, Memorial Post 91’s Legion Family teamed with Skagit Head Start preschool to host a Christmas event for dozens of area families Friday evening to bring an early Christmas to dozens of families. The event included live music, the reading of “The Night Before Christmas”, and a visit from Santa that included the delivery of presents, and stockings filled with treats and toys. “It’s not just for the students, it’s for the parents and siblings, too,” Auxiliary Unit 91 President Lynn Handy said. “We try to make sure there’s something for everyone.”
West Virginia
In Chester, American Legion Post 121 hosted its annual Children’s Christmas Party.
- Community