NEF funds available for storm victims

The American Legion’s National Emergency Fund (NEF) stands ready to assist Legion Family members and posts as the Midwest recovers from a series of violent storms, including tornadoes, over the weekend.

The unusually powerful late-season storms brought damaging winds and tornadoes to 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and western New York, The Associated Press reported. In Illinois, the town of Washington, with a population of around 16,000 about 140 miles southwest of Chicago, suffered the most severe damage.

Overall, at least five people were killed, hundreds of homes were destroyed and millions of customers lost power.

NEF provides immediate financial assistance to Legion Family members and posts affected by natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and flooding.

The fund provides up to $1,500 for qualified Legion Family members and up to $5,000 for posts. The eligibility requirements are:

• Applicant must have been displaced from his or her primary residence due to a declared natural disaster.
• Applicant must provide copies of receipts of items required to meet immediate needs such as temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.
• Membership must be active at time of disaster and the time of application.

To apply, qualified applicants may download the application online here.