Legion continues to support tornado victims

The American Legion continues to assist those recovering from the devastating tornado in Moore, Okla.

 

National Headquarters last week received and processed 59 National Emergency Fund grants totaling $53,500 for veterans who are tornado victims. So far there have been 149 claims and $139,000 has been paid since the tornado struck last month. In 2013, the National Emergency Fund has processed 486 applications and paid out $459,990.

Meanwhile, The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program has been assisting veterans and their children affected by the natural disaster in Oklahoma. As of June 5, TFA has assisted 131 veterans and their children with $151,000 in grants to assist with temporary housing, food, clothing and other emergency needs

TFA provided over $930,537 to assist 1,892 minor children of veterans in 47 departments during the 2012-13 program year, which ended May 31. TFA is made possible through the generosity of Legionnaires and the American Legion Endowment Fund.

In other news:

Boys State/Nation: Boys Nation delegates have been certified from the Arkansas, New Mexico, Tennessee and South Dakota American Legion Boys State programs to attend American Legion Boys Nation from July 19-27 at Marymount University in Arlington, Va.

Play ball!: Team registration for the 2013 American Legion Baseball season concluded June 1. There are 3,904 teams that will compete during the 2013 season.

Membership and DMS Program: The current 2013 traditional membership total is 1,945,844, which is 97.484 percent of the 2013 goal. To date, there are 10 departments that have attained at least 100 percent of their traditional membership goal.

The 2013 membership year began July 1, 2012 and will close June 30. The 2014 membership year will begin July 1. However, the first DMS mailing for the 2014 year will be on Aug. 16.

Based on the four DMS mailings this year, we have acquired 96,778 prospects, 78, 148 expires, 174,926 total (94.6 percent of 2013 goal of 185,000)

Current Renewal Rate for 2012 DMS Members — 50.23% (95,280 of 189,685 new 2012 members)

On-Line Renewal Activity: 2013 Membership Year On-Line Renewals (since July 1) – 184,758

Sons of The American Legion: The Sons of The American Legion membership for 2013 stands at 337,542 members or 95.5 percent as of June 6. At present, the Sons are running 2,014 members ahead of this same date last year. Eleven detachments have achieved 100 percent as of this date. The processing, packaging, and shipping of the 2014 SAL membership cards is under way. Sons membership cards are being mailed and all cards should be in the mail by now.