We want to highlight how the Legion Family steps up to assist others during the holiday season.
Each year during the holiday season, members of the American Legion Family step up to assist families in need, whether it be through toy and food drives, direct donations or staging events and celebrations that provide gifts and a chance to celebrate the season. They also bring holiday celebrations to active-duty servicemembers, as well to their communities.
Examples of these efforts from last year are:
· The American Legion Family of Post 3 in Alexandria, La., donated $4,000 in toys and clothing to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office to distribute to kids in the community. “We are happy to do it,” Post 3 Adjutant Donald Smith said at the time. “It’s giving back to the community and children in need. Hopefully there’s some kids who are going to have a good Christmas.”
· American Legion Family members of Pat Tillman Post 117 in Phoenix, Ariz., delivered Christmas cheer by mail to deployed servicemembers. Over 21,000 Christmas cards were sent to military men and women who will be away from their loved ones this holiday season, while the Post 117 Legion Family also sent out a shipment of 40 care packages filled with toiletries, chocolate, gum, granola bars and Christmas cards to deployed servicemembers.
· The North Branch, Minn. American Legion Riders Chapter 85 staged a Christmas in July Ride that raised $17,000 to assist families of deployed military personnel in the community around the holidays.
This month, we’d like to highlight some of the ways you in the American Legion Family are delivering on these efforts. Whether it’s fundraising, purchasing and delivering meals and gifts, or taking part in efforts such as our Holiday Blood Donor Program, we’d love to hear how you’re impacting your community this holiday season.
Share your efforts on legiontown.org or email them to sbrooks@legion.org. We’d like to highlight one daily through Dec. 25, whether it be on the national website or through our social media channels.
- Community