A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families
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We love the dedication of ALA members everywhere! You are truly appreciated. We also recognize the sacrifices of the men and women unable to be with their loved ones on this holiday. They are never forgotten. | |
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Applications for ALA national scholarships are due March 1.
Scholarships available:
- Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship
- Non-Traditional Student Scholarship
- Spirit of Youth Scholarship
- Junior Member Loyalty Scholarship
Learn more and apply here.
Send questions to [email protected]
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Time to make plans for National Poppy Day® | |
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As you’re preparing your unit activities for this special day, consider ordering ALA poppy coloring books — a great way to educate kids about the meaning behind the poppy. The books are available for purchase from Emblem Sales and can be downloaded.
Other resources:
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Youth: Show off your art skills in ALA National Poppy Poster Contest | |
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For decades, our Auxiliary units have sponsored the National Poppy Poster Contest in local schools. Kids in grades 2-12 are eligible to participate. All department entries are due to the division chairmen by June 1.
Learn how to get involved.
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What are you planning for April’s Month of the Military Child and Purple UP! Day? | |
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Military children face unique challenges and make sacrifices. To recognize this, April is designated as the Month of the Military Child (#MOMC), and April 15 is Purple Up! Day.
During the month of April, plan special events and activities for the military children in your community.
On Purple Up! Day, everyone can wear purple to show support for military children and raise awareness of their sacrifices. 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.
We’d love to hear what you have planned. Send us an email.
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ALA Junior Patch Program: Earn a limited-edition patch | |
The Veterans Creative Arts Festival patch raises money for ALA National President Vickie Koutz’s 2022-2023 area of focus. Any Junior or SAL youth can earn this patch if they raise at least $5 for each year old. For example, a 17-year-old would raise a minimum of $85 (17x$5=$85). Donations can be raised in a variety of ways — solicited from family, friends, Legion Family members, or contribute themselves. So far, 33 Juniors have earned this patch, raising over $1,600. Learn more. | |
Save the date: Support the ALA Foundation by donating March 8 in honor of a woman who inspires you. A tribute donation offers you a thoughtful way to celebrate a special person while contributing to our mission to positively impact the lives of our veterans, military, and their families by funding programs of the ALA today and for future generations. Every gift received will go to the ALA Foundation’s Mission Endowment Fund, which benefits ALA programs like Girls Nation and the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, and funds the ALA Foundation’s Mission in Action Grants. | |
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Check your mailbox! The February issue of Auxiliary magazine is on its way! In this issue, learn about Marines walking across the country to raise POW/MIA awareness, ALA’s branding refresh, and much more! We’d love to hear what you thought of this issue. Let us know! Auxiliary magazine is published every quarter in February, May, August, and November. Members receive the issue via mail, and it’s available online. Find this issue and more here.
Has your membership expired? You can still renew for 2023 and continue serving veterans, military, and their families. You can renew your membership in three easy ways: by phone, online, or mail. Go to www.ALAforVeterans.org, call (317) 569-4570, or mail in your renewal notice.
Need American Legion Family membership applications? We have two versions available — color and black-and-white — available for download. We created the black-and-white version to be printer friendly from your home office. The traditional brochures are still available from your department.
Help us increase our following on Instagram. You may be familiar with our social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter, but did you know we are on Instagram too? Join us there for fun, unique content you won’t see anywhere else! Just search for @ALAforVeterans.
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Request to join the 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.
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Remember your why by renewing your ALA membership.
Whether you joined to honor a family member’s military service or that of your own, it is important every year to pay membership dues and say yes to the Auxiliary’s mission. Renewing allows the ALA to continue being a strong community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families.
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Imagine collecting 1,500 pounds of plastic lids and new and used sneakers for an ALA project. That’s what the New Jersey Atlantic County American Legion Auxiliary Juniors did. ALA Unit 158 member Barbara Mortillite is all about saving the environment. When trying to think of a project for Junior members, she came across a company, Eco Plastic Products of Delaware, which constructs benches out of recycled lids. | |
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“As ALA members, it’s the absolute least we can do to always try to support military servicemembers who are protecting our country, some of whom have come back home and others who have died for our country.”
— Jackie Brauser, Wisconsin
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Volunteers needed for 2023 National Oratorical Finals in April
American Legion National Headquarters is looking for volunteers to help with the 2023 National High School Oratorical Contest Finals in Indianapolis, April 21-23. Needed volunteer positions include judges, escorts, and holding room, and assigned topic room monitors.
The contest is held is at the Wyndham Indianapolis West hotel where more than 53 high school youth from across the country deliver prepared speeches on the U.S. Constitution. The support of many volunteers is needed to conduct the contest, which will provide more than $203,500 in college scholarships.
Please note that American Legion National Headquarters will not provide any financial compensation for time or travel expenses associated with volunteer support. All expenses related to volunteering with the contest, such as travel, housing, and food, are paid for by the volunteer. Learn more.
Plan now for American Legion Family Day
American Legion Family Day is Saturday, April 29. On this date, American Legion post homes will open doors to their members and local communities with the intent of celebrating all great deeds and works of The American Legion Family with the intent to educate, recruit, recognize, and give back to those who continually support the gift of giving. The day will also place special emphasis and awareness on the Legion’s “Be The One” program. Are you participating in American Legion Family Day? Tell us about it!
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Legion Family Merchandise
Show your support by buying from
American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales.
Shop now
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The American Legion Legislative Center
The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.
Get involved.
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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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