Department

We as members need to take this one step further, we need to reach out to our friends, neighbors and our past members and get them involved once again. Membership is everybody’s responsibility! You know as well as I that we can’t do it alone, we need more members and volunteers to allow this most valuable organization to continue doing the awesome work we do for our Veterans. Every member should work on getting one new member and keeping them engaged. Are your meetings set up in a way to bring members back? Try having a short social before or after a meeting, how about adding a mission activity to each meeting (remember to keep it short), have food or door prizes at a meeting.

Be ready to ask questions and share some information about what we do. As members of the world’s largest patriotic organization for women, we give 7 million hours of service to our nation’s military servicemembers and their families. Remind past members of the member benefits, the importance of Veteran advocacy, and about volunteer opportunities. Let them see and feel your enthusiasm, make them want to be involved. Share why you think the ALA is so special.

The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation grants are used for projects that will benefit multiple veterans. Typical funding amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000 per project. An easy way you can donate to the ALA Foundation is shop online using Amazon Smile and pick ALA Foundation.

One final and very important item to remind you about is April is Children and Youth month and April 15th is “Purple Up” for military kid’s day. Alaska donated 28 backpacks, purses and tote bags to the VA for our female veterans. How about units doing a similar project for homeless children in April. Backpacks for a homeless child could include water, hair ties, brush/comb, socks, activity books, hats, toothbrush/toothpaste and fruit snacks.