How are you supporting disabled veterans?
Dear American Legion Family and Friends,
The month of May, which is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, is a perfect time to get outside, exercise and improve our wellbeing. It’s also a perfect time to join or recommit to The American Legion’s 100 Miles for Hope campaign, which runs through Labor Day.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to actually run. You can walk, ride your bicycle or motorcycle, use an elliptical, canoe, kayak, swim or cover 100 miles any way you choose. Heck, you can even ride a mule like Trish Carlisle, an American Legion member from Arizona, for your 100 miles.
Just as important as keeping ourselves active is supporting the fundraising part of the challenge. All registration fees and donations go to The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF), which funds programs for disabled veterans military families in financial crisis.
This year for the challenge we have added special monthly incentives to encourage more participants to support the V&CF through fundraising. Each month the top fundraiser will receive a special incentive for their efforts.
In March, the top fundraiser was American Legion member Chris Yates, a member of Alvin Myo Dunn Post 365 in Vista, Calif. Yates received an autographed Jimmie Johnson shirt. For April, the top fundraiser will receive their choice of a shirt, hat or die-cast replica American Legion INDYCAR, each signed by driver Tony Kanaan. The top fundraiser in May will get to choose from the two leftover items, and the top fundraiser in June will receive the other item signed by Kanaan.
The top fundraisers in July and August/September will receive similar items. And for the overall top fundraiser, we have a special reward: the participant with the highest overall fundraising total will receive four tickets to the INDYCAR race of their choice during the 2023 season. Full details are spelled out on our FAQ page.
I understand some people are hesitant to ask family members and friends for donations. But keep in mind our brothers and sisters in arms who are counting on our support. If you are unsure where to start, Yates has outlined how he was able to achieve fundraising success with some useful tips in this story.
Also, there is a lot of great information on this web page about how to use our fundraising tool.
Get out, get active and get fundraising!
Your support truly demonstrates how The American Legion is …
Veterans Strengthening America.
Paul E. Dillard
National Commander
The American Legion