LinkedIn Share This Email

February 2024 eNews

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

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. 

Mark your calendar – three NEW webinars coming up!

Celebrating Women of Service

Fundraising is essential to increase our mission of serving veterans, military, and their families. In this 45-minute webinar, you’ll get an overview of the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation and how you can raise funds and use grants to carry out the ALA mission in your community.


What you will learn:

  • Grant opportunities available and how to apply
  • Fundraising initiatives
  • How to participate in Celebrating Women of Service Day 


➡️ Register now for the Celebrating Women of Service webinar on Feb. 22 at noon ET.  

Compliance Matters

Being compliant: It may not be the most exciting topic, but it is the most important when it comes to IRS filing. As entities of a nonprofit organization, American Legion Auxiliary units need to make sure they’re following the appropriate laws to maintain their nonprofit status. It’s important to stay on top of the latest laws and maintain records.


What you will learn:

  • Tax-exempt status: How to keep it
  • Your tax obligations
  • Best practices to be compliant
  • Understanding 501(c)(19)
  • Keeping records
  • Resources available


➡️ Register now for the Compliance Matters webinar on March 7 at 12:30 p.m. ET. 

Month of the Military Child

Military children face many challenges as a result of their parents’ service. The month of April is dedicated to military children. This 45-minute webinar 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. 

Scholarship opportunities!

The American Legion Auxiliary has several scholarships available for students. If you are a student or know someone who qualifies, make sure they apply. Applications for ALA national scholarships are due March 1. Here is what’s 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 Education@ALAforVeterans.org.

Important update about CLJA from Bergmann & Moore

There’s still time to take part in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act lawsuit. Administrative claims must be filed by Aug. 10, 2024. Bergmann & Moore, the American Legion Auxiliary trusted law firm, is standing by to help you make some sense of who should file and how to start the process. Some questions you may have: For what damages might I or my spouse or family be compensated? What documents do I need to file a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination lawsuit? How much is this going to cost me? Annita Best, a retired Marine and spokesperson for Bergmann & Moore, is ready to help you find answers to your questions. Annita’s number is (301) 290-3148 or you can start the process now by calling 1-800-898-3148 and speaking with an intake specialist. Be sure to mention you are a member of The American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary.

Time to make plans for National Poppy Day®

It’s never too early to start planning! ALA National Headquarters is already making preparations. To help with your local planning, we have resources available:


 

We’d love to make your unit/post home a part of our ALA media coverage. Send us an email and tell us about any of the following:


  • What are your plans for National Poppy Day?
  • How have you used poppy funds to help veterans, military, and their families?
  • Share a success story about how poppy funds helped someone in your community.

Fundraising 4-1-1

The ALA Foundation is looking for talented and passionate individuals to serve for a three-year term on its board of directors. This group builds, promotes, and sustains the ALA Foundation by connecting with supporters and volunteers, all while raising funds to support the programs and services of the American Legion Auxiliary. Apply here by March 15!

The American Legion Auxiliary is proud to partner with ScriptSave® WellRx Premier to make it easier to reach your health goals. ScriptSave WellRx Premier provides you with prescription savings of up to 80% on brand-name and generic medications for the entire family, including pets. And new for 2024, ScriptSave has launched Grocery Guidance, an online tool that aligns foods with personal health goals that give better-for-you options, nutrition facts and ingredient information, and more! Learn more

On March 8, International Women’s Day, the ALA Foundation will Celebrate Women of Service. Mark your calendar and donate to the ALA Foundation in honor of a woman who inspires you. Let’s use this nationwide day of giving to commemorate our incredible community of volunteers and veterans in an effort to sustain the ALA’s mission of service. Every gift received on March 8 will benefit the ALA Foundation’s Mission Endowment Fund, which financially supports ALA programs including ALA Girls Nation and co-presenting the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival!  

Good to know

Check your mailbox for the February issue of Auxiliary magazine! In this issue, ALA and American Legion Rider members share experiences from the road, a Vietnam Era veteran reflects on her time in the service, American Legion Auxiliary Foundation Veteran Projects Fund grants help our nation’s heroes, and much more! We’d love to hear what you thought of this issue. Let us knowAuxiliary magazine is published every quarter in February, May, August, and November. Members receive the issue via mail, and it’s available online.


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

What you need to know about Be the One

The American Legion’s top priority is to reduce the rate of veteran suicide. The national focus for the 2023-2024 ALA administrative year is to increase awareness about the veteran and military suicide epidemic by embracing The American Legion’s Be the One mission — be the one to save one. Read the blog for answers to common questions about the mission.

The time is now to renew your Auxiliary membership

The American Legion Auxiliary would not be as strong as it is today without you! The work you do and the support you provide help enhance the lives of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families. Your membership brings great value to the Auxiliary and America’s veterans through your service to our mission. Being an Auxiliary member allows you to help shape a positive future in an atmosphere of fellowship, patriotism, peace, and security. Read more about why and how you can renew.

Save the date!

February – Black History Month

Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day

Feb. 25-28 – The American Legion Washington Conference

March 8 – Celebrate Women of Service Day

March 8 – International Women’s Day

Advice for ALA Junior members

“Find your passion — that one Auxiliary program that means something to you — and concentrate on it. So many of our programs interact with one another that you can work on and do multiple ones.”


— Nicky Flores, Nevada

Legion Family News

The American Legion’s 2024 legislative agenda


Ahead of The American Legion’s Washington Conference, taking place Feb. 25-28, the Legion has released its legislative agenda for the second session of the 118th Congress. Among the areas of focus:


  • Suicide prevention and mental health 
  • Alternative treatments 
  • VA healthcare modernization 
  • PACT Act implementation and oversight 
  • Safeguard veterans benefits


Download the complete legislative guide.  

Get ready for racing


Chip Ganassi Racing has revealed the car rookie Linus Lundqvist will primarily drive during the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.


The No. 8 American Legion Honda features prominent branding for both The American Legion and its Be the One veteran suicide prevention program. Lundqvist will drive the car most of the season, including in the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500.


The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES gets started March 10 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida.  

ALA Membership
Where does your department stand in Auxiliary membership? Click here to log in and view the latest reports.

Legion Family Merchandise

Show your support by buying from

American Legion Flag & Emblem Sales.

Shop now

The American Legion Legislative Center

The ALA supports the legislative agenda of The American Legion.

Get involved.

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.
Visit Our Website
Facebook  Instagram  Youtube