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March 2024 eNews

A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families

While the American Legion Auxiliary’s membership today includes men, our roots are female. Take a look at how our community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families has evolved since our founding in 1919.

Month of the Military Child

Military children face many challenges as a result of their parents’ service. The month of April is dedicated to our younger heroes. This 45-minute webinar offered by the American Legion Auxiliary will help you identify ways to celebrate military kids in your community.


What you will learn:

  • Ways to celebrate and honor military kids
  • How to continue honoring military children throughout the year
  • How to share the message with your community


➡️ Register now for the Month of the Military Child webinar on March 15 at noon ET.

Prepare now for National Poppy Day®

The Friday before Memorial Day is National Poppy Day (May 24 this year). All American Legion Family members are encouraged to participate in activities in their communities.

 

The poppy was adopted as our memorial flower in the early 1920s, and the tradition of distributing red crepe paper poppies in exchange for donations continues.

 

Join us for this webinar to get ideas on how you can organize local National Poppy Day events and activities.

 

You will learn:   


  • History and purpose of National Poppy Day
  • Ideas for activities and events
  • How to publicize National Poppy Day locally

 

➡️ Reserve your spot for this webinar on April 18.

We're looking for members to serve on the national Ethical Conduct Committee

Are you interested in participating on the national level? The ALA is looking for members to serve on the 2024-2025 national Ethical Conduct Committee.

 

This committee reviews allegations of Code of Ethical Conduct violations by all national officers, national committee members, and members of the NEC, regardless of voting rights, in a timely manner ensuring fundamental fairness, and makes recommendations to the NEC.

 

Required qualifications and purpose of the Ethical Conduct Committee, as stated in the ALA Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules: “The national president must appoint an Ethical Conduct Committee. The committee shall be composed of six (6) members, each serving staggered three-year terms, no member serving more than two consecutive terms. The national president shall annually appoint a chairman from among the committee members who have served at least one (1) year. Committee members will be selected from applicants with demonstrated experience in risk assessment, conducting investigations, and must be independent from the NEC. To maintain independence, members may not serve on other national committees and will not attend national meetings unless required to report.”

 

Ready to apply? Don’t delay — the application deadline is March 22.

Click here to get started.

Good luck to scholarship applicants!

Winners will be chosen soon. Here’s a snapshot of this year’s application numbers:


Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship:

  • 1,060 applicants

Non-Traditional Student Scholarship:

  • 92 applicants

Spirit of Youth Scholarship:

  • 81 applicants
  • Department winners will receive $1,000 this year!

Fundraising 4-1-1

As we move forward, the ALA is committed to ensuring a seamless transition in our fundraising activities. We are actively exploring new partnerships that align with our mission and values. This change will lead to enhanced fundraising initiatives that better serve our community.

 

We understand that you may have questions, and we are here to address any concerns you may have. Our commitment to transparency and open communication remains steadfast. Please reach out to Development Director Carley Schutz at [email protected] or (317) 569-4537.

Thank you for participating in the second Celebrating Women of Service Day! We are overwhelmed with appreciation for our incredible donors who have uplifted and empowered women worldwide. Your generous gifts will bring hope, support, and opportunities to veterans and military families. Together, we’re building a brighter, more inclusive future for all women. Thank you for your unwavering support!

In times of hardship, the American Legion Auxiliary stands dedicated to providing support to members in need through the Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF). Since the establishment of AEF, the Auxiliary has distributed over $6 million to more than 6,500 members, making a tangible impact on eligible members facing significant setbacks due to acts of nature or personal crises. To sustain this vital assistance, the ALA relies on this generous community. Contributing to AEF ensures the spirit of solidarity remains strong, creating a better tomorrow for fellow Auxiliary members in their times of need. Gifts of $100+ will receive an exclusive “Members Helping Members” AEF pin while supplies last.

Good to know

You can be part of ALA media’s National Poppy Day coverage. As we make plans for the day, we want to include you! You can participate in one or all of the following ways:


Finish the sentence: I wear a poppy...

  • You can send us a video (instructions in graphic) or email a photo of yourself with the answer.

Do you have a loved one who was killed in action, a Prisoner of War, or Missing in Action?

  • Send us an email with their photo, name, and branch of service.

How does your ALA unit observe National Poppy Day?

  • Email us with details and pictures of past events.


Submit materials to [email protected] by Monday, April 15.

Has your membership expired? You can still renew for 2024 and continue serving veterans, military, and their families. You can renew your membership in three easy ways: online, by phone, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice.

 

Are you following us on Instagram? You may be familiar with our social media accounts on Facebook, but did you know we are on Instagram too? Join us for fun, unique, and mission-related content you won’t see anywhere else! Just search for @ALAforVeterans.

Request to join our official ALA program and committee groups on Facebook

Discover what your fellow ALA members are saying in the committee Facebook groups! These easy-to-access forums provide an arena for organic discussion about your local programs or services and present the opportunity to cultivate brand awareness. Find the list of groups here.
On the ALA Blog

Voting matters

Your civic duty as an American citizen is to participate in the democratic process using the fundamental right to vote. Voting is a crucial tool used for making your voice heard at the local, state, and national levels. Your vote at the poll gives you a voice on the issues most important to you and helps decide who will take care of the issues you care most about, like veteran affairs. Read more.

ALA Americanism Essay Contest: Stimulating students' patriotism through writing

The Americanism Essay Contest is sponsored annually by the American Legion Auxiliary and allows students to develop their thoughts and knowledge on what being an American signifies. The process of writing the essay enables students to explore the various facets of Americanism and patriotism. Students examine the rights and freedoms given to citizens through the struggles and sacrifices of our citizens provided in the United States Constitution and why flag history and etiquette acknowledge those who served and are still serving our country to maintain our freedoms. Read more about this year’s essay topic.

Save the date!

March – Women’s History Month

March 13 – K-9 Veterans Day

March 15 – The American Legion’s 105th birthday

March 15 â€“ ALA Academy Lunch & Learn: Month of the Military Child

March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day

March 21 – Rosie the Riveter Day

March 25 – Medal of Honor Day

March 29 – National Vietnam War Veterans Day

April – Month of the Military Child

April 15 – Purple Up! Day for Military Children

April 18 â€“ ALA Academy Lunch & Learn: Celebrating National Poppy Day in your communities

April 27 – American Legion Family Day

Advice for ALA Junior members

“Veterans have served us, so we need to serve them. We live in a nation in which we have total freedom to do what we want. We need to thank our veterans for that. We must honor their service.”


— Ann Crawford, Iowa

Legion Family News

A new podcast series in honor of Women’s History Month

 

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. The Angels of Anzio. Col. Alison Black. Pvt. Shoshana Johnson. Four women who served with the U.S. Armed Forces in distinctive eras of our nation’s history are saluted in March for Women’s History Month with a special podcast series hosted by Army National Guard veteran Ashley Gorbulja and American Legion Media & Communications Director Jeff Stoffer.

 

A new episode of “Trailblazing Women Veterans” will be posted every Wednesday throughout March.

 

“Trailblazing Women Veterans” is available in video and audio formats at legion.org/tangoalphalima. The series can also be downloaded on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and other popular podcast hosting sites.


Enter the Media & Communications Contest

 

All Legionnaires, Sons of The American Legion members, Auxiliary members, and Legion Riders can enter the 2024 Media & Communications Contest!


The Media & Communications Contest has seven categories for submissions: websites, publications, visual media, social media campaigns, editorial/news writing, editorial/informational writing, and public relations/community outreach. 


There is a $5 fee per entry submission. All entries must have been published during the 2023 calendar year. Learn more and apply before the April 15 deadline.

 
 
 
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In the spirit of Service Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace, and security.
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