Have you made a donation to a specific American Legion Auxiliary or American Legion Auxiliary Foundation fund and found yourself wondering how the veteran, student, or family was impacted by your generosity?  Here are a few stories on how your gift helps people.

Donations to the Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF) go toward helping Auxiliary members facing difficult times. The AEF was established in 1969 with a $106,000 bequest from the estate of Auxiliary member Helen Colby Small of Burlington, Wis. It continues today through generous donations from Auxiliary members and the public.

A Pennsylvania Auxiliary member knows firsthand how a donation can make a difference. “I truly appreciate your help,” she said. “I was to the point of not knowing where I was going to end up, and your help arrived two days before I was going to lose everything I had worked so hard for. After a long two years dealing with a personal sickness and losing my parents, I was ready to give up. You have given me the hope and faith again that I had lost.”

For young people looking to further their education, a Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship can help provide the necessary resources. Each year, The American Legion Auxiliary awards this $5,000 scholarship to 15 students who excel in academics and volunteer in their communities. The scholarship money is to be used for tuition, books, fees, room, and board.

“I just wanted to say thank you from my family and I for awarding me this prestigious scholarship! I know it would have been an honor for my grandfather to know that I, his granddaughter, was awarded this scholarship,” said Amy Glover, 2017 Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship Award recipient. “It means so much to my family and I that you have decided to support me in my education at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. With this scholarship, I will be able to become a high school history teacher and be able to teach the youth about all the amazing things veterans have done for our country. Thank you so much!”

If your Auxiliary unit, district/county, or department identifies a specific, emergent need for your local veterans or active military, the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation Veteran Projects Fund may be able to lend a helping hand.

A new blanket warming cabinet was purchased with the help of a Veteran Projects Fund grant.

Residents at the Western Nebraska Veterans Home in Scottsbluff, Neb. were able to benefit from a new blanket warming cabinet made possible with a Veteran Projects Fund grant. “When I visited our veteran’s homes, I often heard requests for more blankets because veterans are cold,” said Barbara Washburn, Department of Nebraska and National Executive Committee member. “The warm blankets provide this comfort without the additional weight of more blankets. Having personally experienced the comfort of a warmed blanket while in the hospital, I am positive that our veterans will receive enjoyment and comfort.”

And thanks to an ALA Foundation sub-grant, ALA California Unit 222 was surprised to receive an anonymous gift of $5,000 specifically designated for an air-conditioning unit for their American Legion Family post home.

The air-conditioning unit will help out those who come for post events.

“This grant will impact more than 50 local veterans and their families who attend many of our dinners and veterans events at our Legion Family post,” said Diane Connell, an officer with that unit.

Your donation really does matter and makes a difference in the lives of people across the country. The recipients of your generosity may never know your name, but they will never forget your gift.

For more stories showcasing how your donations help people, or if you would like to learn more information about a specific fund or scholarship, visit ALAforVeterans.org and ALAFoundation.org.

Thank you for making a difference!