ALA In the Know eBulletin

Click here to stay updated with March reports and timely articles from ALA national committees, programs, and activities: 100th Anniversary Committee, Americanism, ALA Girls Nation, Children & Youth, Community Service, Education, Junior Activities

Leadership, Legislative, Membership,

Poppy, Public Relations, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pay respect for our military heroes and support the American Legion Auxiliary. For a $200 contribution, you’ll have the opportunity to personalize an engraved brick paver at the new ALA National Headquarters. Your 4×8” brick can be customized with up to three lines of engraved text, with up to 18 characters on each line. These pavers are available only through March 29, on a first come, first served basis. To reserve your brick, visit www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/alafoundation. If you need assistance, call ALA National Headquarters at 317-569-4500.

American Legion Family members rallied in Washington, D.C. last month to support The American Legion’s national legislative and public policy agendas. ALA members attended National Commander Brett Reistad’s congressional testimony and met with Congressional representatives to advocate for veterans. Look for a full recap in the May 2019 issue of Auxiliary magazine. Remember: Advocacy for veterans, military, and their families begins at the local level in our communities! Log in to learn more about how you can get involved. Learn more

Are you interested in sharing your leadership skills, prior board experience, grassroots fundraising ideas, and more in support of the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization? The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation Board of Directors seeks applications for a three-year elected board position. We are looking for individuals – with a passion for veterans, military, and their families – who are excited to join a board committed to building, promoting, and sustaining the ALA Foundation. As a board of directors member, you serve as a trusted advisor on a team that steers the ALA Foundation by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as making sure the ALA has adequate resources to advance our mission for our next generation of heroes. More information, and the application, can be found at www.ALAFoundation.org. Apply by April 8.

Military children face unique challenges and make sacrifices. To recognize this, April is designated as the Month of the Military Child (#MOMC). The American Legion Family publicly demonstrates our commitment to youth by hosting activities nationwide throughout the month of April. Does your unit need help planning Children & Youth events for the Month of the Military Child? Click here to log in and see available resources to help your ALA unit and department get started. Also, mark your calendar: Thursday, April 18, is “Purple Up! For Military Kids” day — wear purple to show support and thank military children.

It’s time to start preparing for National Poppy Day®! This year’s event is May 24. The poppy is the internationally known and recognized symbol of the lives sacrificed in war and the hope that none died in vain. In 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion Family. In 2017, the Legion Family called upon Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day. Check out www.ALAforVeterans.org/poppy for more information on National Poppy Day.

The American Legion Auxiliary has more than a dozen Facebook groups centered around our national ALA programs! These closed groups are dedicated spaces where ALA members can share updates, photos, and messages with other members who share common interests in the Auxiliary’s national programs. If you are looking for insight on how to run a program, interested in learning more about what other units and departments do to reach veterans, or simply want to connect with ALA members around the world, join one of the many ALA Facebook groups.