Maryland post makes record donation to VA
For years, Dorchester American Legion Post 91 in Cambridge, Md., has made donations throughout the year to various U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities within the state.
But this year the post decided to make the donation in one lump sum – and made history in the process.
Earlier this month, Post 91 made a $42,000 donation to the VA Maryland Health Care System. It was the largest single donation the system has ever received from a veteran service organization’s individual post.
“We used to give quarterly, but we decided to do it at the end of the fiscal year, which allowed us give more money at one time,” Post 91 Finance Officer George Williams said. “We’re trying to support the people that we work with, and our brothers and sisters in the service … who are elderly or need additional assistance. We were in a position where we could do such, and our Donation Committee worked out the money we had available.”
In addition to having five legalized slot machines, Williams said the post benefits financially from having a facility that can be broken down into three sizes to rent out for events.
This year, the post will have been able to donate a total of $200,000 to various causes. “We give to every fire department within our county and two in our neighboring county,” Williams said. “We give to different churches, animal rescues, educators, Boy Scouts. I think there were over 70 groups that we gave to.”
The donation to VA will make a sizeable impact as it benefits veterans receiving care at the Baltimore, Loch Raven and Perry Point VA Medical Centers, as well as the Cambridge, Eastern Baltimore County, Fort Meade, Glen Burnie and Pocomoke City VA Outpatient Clinics. The funds will help provide diversional recreation supplies and activities while also providing support for the VA National Games, transportation services, educational resources, adaptive sports programing, supplies for new and expecting mothers, and equipment for inpatient care units.
“This donation from The American Legion Dorchester Post 91 will help to support important patient projects and programs that enhance the quality of life for Maryland’s veterans,” said Jonathan R. Eckman, P.E., director of the VA Maryland Health Care System, via press release. “As the largest donation ever received from an individual VSO post, it also demonstrates the commitment of Post 91 to supporting the needs of Maryland’s veteran patients and reminds them that their service in the armed forces has not been forgotten.”
Williams said being able to make that kind of impact, “is a remarkable feeling – that we have the means to do such. Again, this was one of our better years for giving, and we try to give the bulk of the money to entities relating to the VA system. It’s good that we have the ability to give to the veterans in need.”