April: A month dedicated to our military children
Military children face unique challenges and make sacrifices. To recognize this, April is designated as the Month of the Military Child (#MOMC).
Purple Up! Day — April 15 — is part of the monthlong celebration. To show support for military children and raise awareness about their sacrifices, people wear purple on this special day. Purple symbolizes a combination of the colors of each branch of the U.S. military: Army green, Navy blue, Air Force blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue.
The American Legion Auxiliary appreciates and celebrates these children who give up so much as their servicemember parents work to protect and defend America, its people, and its principles. Thousands of ALA members and other members of The American Legion Family participate in Purple Up! Day.
ALA members: Visit our Children & Youth Committee page to see how you can get involved.
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Poppy planning resources for your unit
Every day is Poppy Day in the American Legion Auxiliary, but May tends to be a time when ALA members are in full force in their communities distributing this important symbol of sacrifice in exchange for donations.
On National Poppy Day®, the Friday before Memorial Day — May 23 this year — wear a red poppy to honor the fallen and support the living who have worn our nation’s uniform.
Check out the national website for resources like banners, coloring books, media templates, and more to make your Poppy Days successful. Head over to American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales to purchase poppy items for perfect branding.
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Learn more about our 2024-2025 national focus through this video
Our national president, since our organization’s founding, has traveled to the ALA’s departments (states) to spread the word about the national focus for the administrative year. Take a look at this video of 2024-2025 National President Trish Ward offering tips on what we can do to revitalize our organization through membership … from the ground up!
| | Two free webinars this month: member benefits and leadership | |
April 23 @ Noon ET — Planning A Perfect Vacation Using Your Member Benefits
Planning your perfect vacation is easier and more affordable than ever with the exclusive benefits available to American Legion Auxiliary members. With travel discounts at Wyndham Hotels and savings on tickets and rental cars through BenefitHub, your ALA membership is the ultimate tool to plan the perfect vacation on any budget.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the range of travel-related benefits available through ALA membership, including discounts on hotels, car rentals, event tickets, and more.
- Identify which ALA member benefits best align with their travel needs and preferences.
- Learn how to access and redeem these benefits through the ALA website and affiliated partners.
- Apply practical tips for using these perks to save money and enhance their travel experience.
- Plan a personalized trip using ALA member benefits, ensuring a smooth and budget-friendly journey.
This interactive session will guide members through real-world examples and step-by-step instructions to make travel planning easy and rewarding!
Sign up today here.
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April 24 @ 7 p.m. ET — ALA Leadership Series: Elements of Leading an Effective Meeting
This webinar will present basic guidelines for running a successful meeting using the tools and resources available on the national website, www.ALAforVeterans.org.
Objectives:
- Familiarize attendees with the suggested order of business and tips for a successful meeting.
- Review basic parliamentary rules that occur during most meetings.
- Revisit ALA customs and protocols as they relate to meetings.
Click here to register for this webinar.
| | Do you know of a member, unit, department, or servicemember deserving of an award? | | Award nominations for the 2024-2025 ALA administrative year are due June 1. The awards for each committee can be found under the committee’s page here. | | Calling all Veterans Creative Arts Festival hosts! | | |
Apply now for the Veterans Creative Arts Festival grant and receive up to $2,500 to support your local Creative Arts Festival. Whether your festival encourages veterans to paint, write, sculpt, or perform, this grant supports their artistic journey — don’t miss this opportunity!
Learn more at www.ALAFoundation.org/grants.
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Members Helping Members: Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF)
In times of hardship, the American Legion Auxiliary is dedicated to providing support to members in need through the Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF). The ALA 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. Make your gift by texting AEF to 1-844-940-3450 or click here to donate online.
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VSP Vision Plan
The American Legion Auxiliary and AMWINS Group Benefits have partnered to offer members an exclusive vision plan. The VSP Vision Plan helps keep your vision sharp and provides access to great eye doctors, quality eyewear, and the affordability you deserve — all with low out-of-pocket costs. Click here to compare vision plans and learn more.
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The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is May 11-18 in Indianapolis. Since 2000, the American Legion Auxiliary has co-presented this spectacular event, alongside the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. While you’re in Indy, stop by ALA National Headquarters! Learn more about NVCAF here.
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Ready for this ALA challenge? Discover ways to get involved in your community and make a real difference in the lives of local veterans by using the ALA Challenge Deck. Learn more.
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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.
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Wisconsin Unit 186 begins grave marker project to recognize past Auxiliary members
Four years ago, ALA Unit 186 in Independence, Wis., began discussions about recognizing recently deceased members with a bronze Auxiliary emblem grave marker at local cemeteries.
Read More
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Month of May will bring several military-related recognition days
Take a closer look at military recognition days during the month of May.
Read More
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April — Month of the Military Child
April 9 — National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
April 15 — Purple Up! Day for Military Children
April 20-26 — National Volunteer Week
April 22 — Earth Day
April 23 — ALA Academy webinar: Planning A Perfect Vacation Using Your Member Benefits
April 24 — ALA Academy webinar: Leadership Series: Elements of Leading an Effective Meeting
April 27 — American Legion Family Day
May — Military Appreciation Month
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“Growing up in the organization instilled an understanding and appreciation for those who served and are serving our country.”
— Pamela Thompson, Connecticut
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Harley-Davidson offering Legion Riders discount at Riding Academy dealers
Now through June, Harley-Davidson is offering American Legion Riders a $100 discount off any license-waiver course at a Harley-Davidson Riding Academy dealer. Right now, the first 5,000 participants who enroll in a Riding Academy license-waiver class, using code MVFCHAR25, will receive a $100 discount. This promo ends on June 30, or before all the codes are redeemed. Learn more.
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Betheone.org gets a refresh, new resources
The American Legion continues to empower Legion Family and community members to save the lives of veterans through its Be the One suicide prevention mission by providing the resources they need to help a veteran in crisis and bring awareness to the cause. How-to videos, training and more veteran suicide prevention resources are located on the Be the One webpage, betheone.org, which has been refreshed for easier navigation and new resources have been added. Learn more.
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