Legacy Run donations top $722,000

Legacy Run donations top $722,000

In 2006, the first American Legion Legacy Run raised funds to provide college scholarships for the children of U.S. servicemembers killed on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Within three years, the Run netted more than $1 million. And now that the 2012 donations have been tallied, well over $3.3 million has been raised for the Legacy Scholarship Fund through the annual ride.

Between last summer’s National Commander’s Ride and donations made during and after the 94th National Convention in Indianapolis, donations totaled $722,774, surpassing the previous year’s amount.

An estimated 500 Riders participated in this year’s Legacy Run, which started in New York on Aug. 21, traveled through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, and ended in Indianapolis on Aug. 23. Preparations are under way for the 2013 Legacy Run. Stay updated on the Run and its events by visiting www.legion.org/riders.

The Legacy scholarship ensures higher education is attainable for youth who lost a parent while serving our country. And each scholarship is funded by the interest generated by the trust fund. The fund remains untouched and grows with each donation.

Since 2004, The American Legion Legacy Scholarship has awarded nearly $300,000 in aid to 99 students. The renewable scholarship helps high school seniors preparing to attend college, or those already working toward their undergraduate degree, with the expenses of tuition, books, room and board, and other supplies.