American Legion Child Welfare Foundation awards $618,606 in grants

In its 62nd year, the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) has awarded $618,606 in grants to 20 nonprofit organizations for 2017. The grant recipients were selected by CWF’s Board of Directors on Oct. 9 during their annual fall meeting in Indianapolis. The recipients have been awarded the grants to support youth-serving projects that seek to enhance the lives of children by addressing their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.

The following is a brief summary of the grants awarded, which were made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts and support from the Legion, Sons of The American Legion and Auxiliary.

Angels & Doves of Indianapolis was awarded $19,900 for its project, “Reduce School Bullying and Youth Violence.” This grant will provide an anti-bullying program for high-risk school districts.

Angel Flight West of Santa Monica, Calif., was awarded $10,000 for its project, “Promoting Fly-Anthropy” – the charitable use of aviation to help children in need. This grant will provide outreach and marketing efforts to families in need of medical transportation and to potential volunteer pilots.

Bethany Christian Services of Grand Rapids, Mich., was awarded $25,000 for its project, “Post Adoption Support for Military Families Awareness Campaign.” This project will contribute to the mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children adopted by military families.

Books Aloud of San Jose, Calif., was awarded $10,000 for its project, “Books Aloud Youth Program.” This project will serve children that can't read conventionally due to blindness, visual impairment or a physical or learning disability.

Building Better Days of Edgewater, Md., was awarded $11,230 for its project, “Benefits of Building.” This project will assist pediatric patients by providing each child with a building toy to take their mind off of the treatments and procedures that they are going through.

Child Find of America, Inc. of New Paltz, N.Y., was awarded $40,500 for its project, “In Safe Hands Information Kits.” This project will educate and inform parents and professionals about the negative impact of family conflict on a child's learning and emotional health, as well as prevent conflict leading to parental child abduction.

Childhood Domestic Violence Association of New York, N.Y., was awarded $20,750 for its project, “Childhood Domestic Violence Toolkit Distribution Campaign.” Through greater distribution of this toolkit, Childhood Domestic Violence Association hopes to build an overall awareness of children growing up with domestic violence.

Childhood Leukemia Foundation of Brick, N.J., was awarded $60,000 for its project, “Hope Binder.” This project will offer 12 sections of templates and resources to help families begin to feel a degree of control over their circumstances.

Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation of New York, N.Y., was awarded $20,000 for its project, “Finding Your Way - A Guide for Childhood Brain Tumor Families from Diagnosis & Beyond.” This project will help families understand that the emotions they are feeling are not uncommon and assist in alleviating the isolation often felt by families.

Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Inc. of Norfolk, Va., was awarded $31,000 for its project, “Educational Materials for Children with Craniosynostosis and Cleft Lip/Palate Deformities.” This project will educate parents about cleft lip and palate and craniofacial conditions, and ease their concerns about treatment and correction.

CureSearch for Children’s Cancer of Bethesda, Md., was awarded $22,250 for its project, “Childhood Cancer Educational Video and Companion Ebook.” This project will create a video about immunotherapy that features personal stories and educational content.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Chicago was awarded $25,000 for its project, “Online Child Mood Disorder Screeners and Marketing Campaign.” This project will assist families with children living with a mood disorder by aiding in early intervention and detection of symptoms, linking families to resources and education, and connecting parents to a support network.

The KEYS Program of Sherrill, N.Y., was awarded $5,362 for its project, “KEYS Music Toolkits: Delivering Music, Hope and Smiles to Kids Battling Cancer.” This project will provide research and information on the benefits of music and music therapy in the treatment of pediatric cancer patients.

Mercy Medical Anglesof Virginia Beach, Va., was awarded $45,000 for its project, “Angel Flights for Children.” This project will increase the number of volunteer pilots available to transport children requiring specialized medical care to health care facilities that provide the treatment necessary for the child.

Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome of Saint Paul, Minn., was awarded $54,735 for its project, “National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Educational Equity Project.” This project will provide information to raise awareness, educate and build an interest in gaining competency about FASD and implications for schools, families and students.

National Autism Association of Portsmouth, R.I., was awarded $59,375 for its project, “Big Red Safety Box.” This project will educate, raise awareness and provide tangible tools that may assist in preventing and responding to dangerous wandering-related incidents in the autism community.

National Meningitis Association, Inc. of Fort Myers, Fla., was awarded $29,000 for its project, "Get Vaccinated." This project will raise awareness and aid in the distribution of informational CD packages throughout the country.

Our Military Kids of McLean, Va., was awarded $56,055 for its project, "In Their Own Voice: Military Children Tell Their Stories." This grant will enhance outreach and marketing efforts of the organization.

Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation of Avon, N.Y., was awarded $4,449 for its project, "I Have SDS." This grant will produce books on SDS and educate hospitals, clinics, physicians and families on this rare bone marrow failure disease.

The American Legion National Headquarters of Indianapolis was awarded $69,000 for its project, "American Legion National Oratorical Contest 2017." This grant will provide half of the funds necessary for awarding academic scholarships to 54 youth competing as national finalists in The American Legion National Oratorical Contest.