Operation OutreachWhat We Are Doing - Internal Affairs

American Legion Rider local chapters have become some of the most generous donors for The American
Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, often raising as much as $10,000 or more in a single event.

Legion Riders participate in the annual "Rolling Thunder" POW/MIA rally every Memorial Day weekend in Washington.

Legion Riders participate in local and national
charity events representing sponsoring American Legion posts.

Legion Riders ride to raise money for VA hospitals, various veterans relief organizations, Heroes to Hometowns, needy families and children, and many other causes throughout the year.

Legion Riders of Mulvane, Kan., founded a national movement called the Patriot Guard - www.
kspatriotguard.org - that honors and protects the sanctity of military funerals and memorial services.

Legion Riders in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas founded the annual Operation Wounded Warrior veterans tribute run to raise money for supplies, clothing and comfort items for critically wounded servicemen and women recovering in U.S. military hospitals.

Legion Riders have formed special motorcycle honor guards and ceremonial teams, highlighting the special bonds formed in military service and the motorcycling community.

Legion Riders teach motorcycle and driver safety in communities and schools in cooperation with "A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education" (ABATE) and other national motorcycling organizations.

Finally, in 2006 and 2007, Legion Riders participated in the Legacy Run, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Another run is planned for August from Indianapolis to Phoenix.

www.legion.org/legionriders
(317) 630-1265
www.legion.org/legacyrun

National Emergency Fund

A "devotion to mutual helpfulness" is found in the preamble to The American Legion Constitution. It is also very clearly demonstrated in the National Emergency Fund. Since the early 1920s, The American Legion has been actively involved in meeting the needs of communities and individual Legion family members in the wake of tragedies, helping comrades in the aftermath of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires and other declared natural disasters.

Since its inception, the fund has provided more than $6 million in direct financial assistance to Legion family members and posts. The NEF has kept posts open and helped Legion family members begin to rebuild their homes and their lives.

NEF grants are available to Legionnaires and Sons members in amounts up to $1,500 and to Legion posts in amounts up to $5,000.

Applicants must have been displaced from their primary residence and provide proof of out-of-pocket expenses.

Disbursements are not meant to replace or repair items, but to meet most immediate needs such as temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.

Membership must be active at the time of disaster and the time of application.

Members must complete a National Emergency Fund grant application, which can be obtained by contacting department headquarters or by calling The American Legion National Headquarters at (317) 630-1321. Applications also can be downloaded online at www.legion org.

All contributions made to the NEF are deposited in a special account and are used exclusively to meet member's most urgent needs. Not one single contribution dollar is used for fund-raising, administrative costs or fulfillment. The money in the fund comes by way of donations from Legionnaires and Sons of The American Legion members.

Send tax-deductible contributions to:
The American Legion
National Emergency Fund
P.O. Box 6141
Indianapolis, IN 46206

The American Legion Dispatch