April 2021 eNews & eBulletin |
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A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families |
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April: Month of the Military Child and Purple Up! Day |
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 this year – 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.
As a major supporter and advocate for veterans, the military, and their families for more than a century, 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. Many members of the Auxiliary and other parts of The American Legion Family participate in Purple Up! Day.
Here are a couple of other ways to pay tribute to these youth (adapt as needed due to social distancing and other safety guidelines in place during the COVID-19 pandemic):
- Kids of Deployed are Heroes 2 (KDH2): This American Legion Auxiliary initiative honors military children separated from one or both parents, whether deployed to a war zone, having a short tour, or on an extended temporary duty assignment. Recognition buttons or stickers with “I’m a Hero 2” can be given to these children.
- Military Child’s Table Setting Ceremony: Inspired by the POW/MIA remembrance table ceremony, each item placed on the table is powerfully symbolic. Consider including ALA Juniors and younger members of the Sons of The American Legion in this tribute.
We want to see your purple! Share pictures of yourself on social media and use #MOMC, #PurpleUp, and #AmericanLegionAuxiliary.
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Registration is open for two ALA Academy Live courses! |
If the idea of asking for money makes you break into a cold sweat and you think the dentist’s office would be more fun, then maybe you need another way to approach it.
Register for ALA Academy Live – Unit Fundraising: Moving the Mission Forward by Engaging Your Community. This course will feature volunteer fundraisers who have had success in elevating their organization in the community, ultimately raising money for their projects.
In this webinar, you’ll learn:
- Helpful tips and tricks for replicating or creating a successful fundraiser in your community
- How just a few words can change an entire fundraising campaign
- Ideas for your next fundraiser
The course will be offered:
Thursday, April 15, at 8 p.m. ET
Don’t miss Course 4 of the Junior Mentor Training Series for Adults: ALA Junior Meetings.
Junior meetings are an opportunity to bring our younger members together as they share ideas, form lasting friendships, and have fun. As mentors, we know these meetings are also a place for Juniors to learn more about the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission and programs. When we know how to make Juniors’ unit, district, and department meetings more fun and meaningful, our Juniors will continue their membership once they reach adulthood, ensuring a strong future for the ALA.
Webinar course objectives:
- Engage Junior members by offering more informative and fun meetings
- Develop an understanding of how to utilize parliamentary procedure during Junior meetings
- Learn about Junior meeting etiquette and protocol, and how it differs from adult meetings
- Learn the roles and functions of honorary Junior officers
Course date: Thursday, May 6, at 8 p.m. ET
Miss a previous course in the ALA Academy Live series on Junior Mentor Training? Log in with your member ID at www.ALAforVeterans.org/ALA-Academy to watch the recordings.
ALA Academy self-paced courses currently available:
- ALA 101
- ALA Branding and Why it Matters to Me
- ALA Communication Methods
- Establishing an ALA Culture of Goodwill
- ALA Fundraising
- How to Deal with Conflict
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ALA Leadership: Living Our Motto of Service Not Self
- ALA Juniors eLearning Course
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National Poppy Day® is May 28 this year |
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We’re kicking off May with a special virtual National Poppy Day program. You can watch it on Monday, May 3, on Facebook. Follow the ALA National Headquarters Facebook page for more information to come.
New this year – we are encouraging your poppy funds to be used in assisting military families facing food insecurities.
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Draw attention to your National Poppy Day events. We have new banners and posters available for free download.
We want YOU to be part of National Poppy Day! We are seeking members of all ages to answer this important question: “What does the poppy mean to me?” Record yourself, or have someone record you, and email it to us. If the file is too big, use the site www.WeTransfer.com to send to PR@ALAforVeterans.org.
On Memorial Day, who will you be remembering? Send us photos of those in your life who made the ultimate sacrifice. The photos may be used in a virtual poppy presentation.
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Auxiliary Emergency Fund is there for the unexpected |
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If you’ve been through a personal financial crisis or natural disaster, you know they have one thing in common: They’re always unexpected. Whether it’s a tornado that destroys your home, or you get laid off from your job with bills to pay, you never see them coming. Thankfully, the Auxiliary Emergency Fund stands at the ready, helping Auxiliary members when the unexpected strikes. If you have been affected by a financial or natural disaster, apply to the AEF and get the help you need. If you’re able, please make a gift to the AEF and ensure that no member faces their crisis alone. |
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The next National Veterans Creative Arts Festival is just a year away! |
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Next spring, we will be gearing up for the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival! For over 20 years, the American Legion Auxiliary has played a major role in celebrating the talents of veterans nationwide at this spectacular event, and we need your help in ensuring its success. Make a gift to the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation’s Veterans Creative Arts Festival today, and help a veteran heal through creative expression tomorrow.
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A fun way to learn about branding The American Legion Family |
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The branding game has been adapted to make it American Legion Family friendly, adding in the Family emblems and changing the wording and logos used throughout to be more encompassing.
The senior member version includes 22 logos of well-known company/organization brands, while the Juniors/Sons of The American Legion version has 22 logos but with brands that appeal to a younger target audience.
Purposes/objectives of the game:
- Learn more about branding and how it applies to the American Legion Auxiliary and The American Legion Family.
- Discuss the importance of branding through review of current company brands.
- Discover the potential positive and negative consequences of branding.
- Learn about and discuss public perception for both members and those who aren’t familiar with our organization.
Download the documents to play. Everyone walks away from this game as winners!
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Planning is underway for the 2021-2022 ALA administrative year. The National Chairmen’s Meeting and Department Leadership National Conference (DLNC) are coming up. The National Chairmen’s Meeting will be held in Indianapolis April 23-25. DLNC will be held virtually this year, April 24-26. This meeting is attended by department secretaries, incoming department presidents, and upcoming department Membership Committee representatives.
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Does your ALA unit host a regular carry-out dinner night? Consider inserting these flyers in the takeout boxes! They’re convenient, fillable PDFs with an efficient 3-up design for easy printing on a home computer. You can also take them to your local print shop so you’ll always have extras on hand. Log in to download the FREE file from the MyAuxiliary member portal.
Need to renew your Auxiliary membership? Take care of your membership for 2021 in three easy ways: by phone, online, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice.
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If you shop on Amazon, make sure you’re using AmazonSmile. Through Amazon’s charitable program, AmazonSmile, you can support the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation. Simply sign in through this special link and select the American Legion Auxiliary. Amazon will donate 0.5% of every purchase you make to the ALA Foundation. It may seem small, but a little can add up to a lot.
New ALA Unit Guide Book now available for purchase and download. The revised version of the ALA Unit Guide Book is now in stock and ready to order from American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales, where a portion of your purchase goes back to American Legion Family programs.
Some changes in the 2021 Unit Guide:
- Updated membership eligibility (LEGION Act and inclusion of male spouses)
- Gender-neutral language to be inclusive of male ALA members
- Icons highlighting important info for the unit
The new Unit Guide is also available for free download in the MyAuxiliary member portal (log-in required).
The ALA in Numbers.
Facebook continues to be our top social media channel with more than 25,800 followers.
Instagram continues to grow. We currently have more than 2,140 followers.
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ALA In the Know eBulletin |
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Find our groups on Facebook |
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ALA In the Know eBulletin
Click here to stay updated with April reports and timely articles from ALA national committees, programs, and activities: ALA 100th Anniversary Committee, Americanism, Constitution & Bylaws, Community Service, Education, Legislative, and Public Relations.
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ALA Committee Facebook Groups 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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April provides us with a special occasion to recognize and celebrate the service of our military children. Established in 1986 by Caspar Weinberger, who served as Secretary of Defense at the time, Month of the Military Child acknowledges the significant place military children hold in our hearts. |
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It seems like such a simple question, but as we quickly discovered, the answer might require some professional help. ALA National Headquarters consulted with our professional parliamentarian, Chris Dickey, for guidance.
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Nichole, a mother of eight and avid motorcycle rider, has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for four years. Nichole was first introduced to the ALA when she, her husband, and her father-in-law were invited to visit a local unit. After meeting the other members and seeing how active they were in serving their local community, as well as our nation’s heroes, all three decided to join The American Legion Family. |
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Zoom, Teams, GoToMeeting – platforms that you may not have been familiar with in 2019 are now common ways for many of us to communicate. In the beginning of the global pandemic, these services were a quick fix for us to communicate while social distancing. But it appears virtual meetings and these platforms — and others — are here to stay.
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Don't miss out on ALA member benefits! |
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Saving money on dental care has never been easier |
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Starting at only $9.95 a month, the Careington Discount Dental Plan for American Legion Auxiliary members gives you access to discounts from 20% to 50% on most dental procedures. Imagine saving $69.00* on a single teeth cleaning and $45.00* on a routine checkup. That’s a total savings of $114.00 for one visit to the dentist’s office for just $9.95 per month! Now that’s something to smile about. Learn more today!
*These fees represent the average of the assigned POS fees in the Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, and NYC metropolitan areas. Prices subject to change.
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April 15 – Purple Up! Day
April 15 – ALA Academy Live – Unit Fundraising: Moving the Mission Forward by Engaging Your Community
April 23-25 – National Chairmen’s Meeting
April 24-26 – DLNC
May – National Military Appreciation Month
May – Month of the Military Caregiver
May 6 – ALA Academy Live - Junior Mentor Training Series for Adults: ALA Junior Meetings
May 7 – Military Spouse Appreciation Day
May 8 – VE Day
May 9 – Mother’s Day
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Did you grow up in a military family? |
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“My dad was in the Air Force, and we moved constantly. I went to 12 different schools, made many friendships that I still have to this day, saw places of this great country that many people never see in their lifetime, and experienced the different cultures within our own country. It was a strict life, and definitely a culture shock when I moved off base at 18, but I believe that it definitely made me more resilient in life! It made me a stronger person, giving me incredible experiences and opportunities (that at the time I did not realize everyone else ‘out there’ didn't get!), taught me patriotism and work ethic, the value of friendships because they come and go, and so much more. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.”
- Shay Grannan-Kuehner, Texas
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South Dakota unit plans unique 100 Miles for Hope challenge
Micheline Nelson, a member of Unit 164 in Spearfish, S.D., involved the community with a group walk during the first 100 miles challenge in 2020. This year, she plans to involve community members in a new way that ties in to the activity goal in this year’s 100 Miles for Hope challenge.
“I am thinking of something completely out of the box — 100 Miles of Thread,” she says. “That would be quilters, knitters and others who would have to record the time they spend creating items for the VA and homeless veterans. It would involve Auxiliary members and others who may not be able to get out of their homes but can help veterans who are in VA hospitals or homebound.”
That’s part of the beauty of this year’s 100 Miles campaign. For those who register via the Kilter app, they can track their activities. With more than 40 activities available on the app, it allows anyone to participate. For example, the quilters and knitters can choose the “volunteer” activity to count toward their 100 activities. Learn how to track activities and see a list of all of them here.
Nelson envisions having multiple events to encourage community participation.
“We serve children and youth, our community, veterans and families, so it is important to get our mission out so they understand the mission of the Legion Family,” she says.
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Have you seen the humorous videos on social media to reveal the IndyCar with The American Legion paint scheme? The videos feature Chip Ganassi Racing drivers Jimmie Johnson and Tony Kanaan as they reveal the No. 48 Indy Car. You can see this car in action on May 2 at the IndyCar race at the Texas Motor Speedway and on May 30 at the Indianapolis 500. Learn more about this racing partnership and the drivers.
American Legion Legacy Scholarship applications are due April 15. The scholarship is awarded annually to children of veterans on active duty since 9/11 who were either killed while on active duty or have a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater. Go here for more information on this scholarship and to apply.
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Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from
American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales.
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The American Legion Legislative Alerts
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
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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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