Guest blog post by Amy Luft, national Community Service Committee vice chair
 

American Legion Family Day isn’t just about veterans. It’s about strengthening our communities.
 
That’s exactly what happens when veterans, families, and friends gather for a shared purpose. It’s an opportunity where we can celebrate our communities and stand behind those who serve. 
 
In October 2022, The American Legion passed Resolution No. 7 establishing an annual American Legion Family Day to be held on the last Saturday of April. It was created to encourage local posts to open their doors to the community, recognize the accomplishments of The American Legion Family, and support the Be the One suicide prevention program. However, a key element is encouraging local posts to connect with community, showcasing our mission of mutual helpfulness — and this is what creates a lasting impact.
 

Whether it’s an American Legion Family Day or any type of open house, opening your doors to the community offers a low-pressure way to introduce people to The American Legion Family, recruit new members, and possibly even reconnect with inactive members. It also demonstrates transparency, which provides future donors confidence in supporting our mission. All of this helps ensure building trust, which is the first step in fostering relationships and partnerships. 
 
Since no two posts are the same, there’s no right or wrong way on how to host an American Legion Family Day. Some posts may have cookouts, welcoming the community to come in and visit the post. Others may have blood drives, dinners, or other similar events. In most areas, The American Legion post is the hub of the community and is well respected, which is why hosting an open house can be successful. At the Peter-Wollner Post 288 in Cedarburg, Wis., a simple community picnic grew into a community-wide event and resulted in new memberships for both the Legion and the Auxiliary. 
 
“This was our first time trying a community picnic and we didn’t know what to expect,” said ALA Unit 288 President Chris Skidmore. “We kept it simple by offering refreshments and focusing on kids and families. There were games and activities for all ages. That’s how we were able to engage with the attendees, and, as a result, signed up new members.”
 
While there’s much time and preparation in preparing for your event, what you do afterward is just as important as the event itself. Sending personalized thank-you notes to attendees and sponsors is a must. Every message should reflect our legacy of Service Not Self. Showcasing pictures on social media will also inspire guests to relive the excitement and the opportunity to share with others. 
 
After thanking your attendees for their involvement, show them that their voices matter by asking for their feedback. Allow participants to provide testimonials and how they were impacted by the event. Make sure to use a variety of channels for your outreach, allowing for a variety of touchpoints (social media, email, direct mail, etc.). Sharing impact stories that highlight the “why” is not only meaningful but also beneficial to future donors. If you collected funds or donations, let the community know how their money and items were used. People want to see the data and statistics, and strong numbers give credibility. Once that information is shared, it becomes easier to start making small, non-urgent asks for future activities. You’ll see that people are willing and ready to give because of your transparency.
 
If you didn’t get a chance to host an American Legion Family Day event this year or you don’t know where to start, that’s all right. Take time now and start organizing something for next year. If you’re unable to accommodate the last Saturday in April, consider hosting an event the weekend before or after. Remember: It’s OK to start small. Even a simple ice cream social can grow into something larger. You can find many tips and ideas and learn about the steps for a successful American Legion Family Day on the national ALA website at www.ALAforVeterans.org. 

While the specific activities may vary from one post to another, the overarching spirit of American Legion Family Day remains consistent — a day of camaraderie, appreciation, and community engagement. Hosting an American Legion Family Day isn’t just about planning the event — it’s about strengthening the bonds that hold a community together. That’s the nice thing about American Legion Family Day — big or small, it can make a difference, and the effects could last a lifetime.