'It's personal'

'It's personal'

Dale Barnett, the leading candidate for American Legion 2015-2016 national commander, has decided to make The American Legion National Emergency Fund (NEF) his primary fundraising effort if he’s elected to the organization’s top position.

And that decision was made with a purpose.

“It’s personal,” Barnett, a Georgia Legionnaire, told attendees at the Legion’s National Membership Workshop in Indianapolis on Aug. 8. “A few years ago we had a pretty devastating flood, and the NEF came to the rescue of veterans and families in need in our area.

“A few years ago there was (Hurricane) Katrina that hit our Gulf Coast. The NEF was there to provide support.”

The NEF provides up to $10,000 in grants to Legion posts and $3,000 to individual Legion family members impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires. Since its inception, the fund has provided more than $8 million in direct financial assistance; every cent donated goes directly to helping the fund’s recipients.

“I want to ensure that we can raise a million dollars or more – and I said $1 million or more – next year,” Barnett said. “There’s money in the fund right now, but we need to make sure we have enough money there that if an emergency happens – and I hope it doesn’t happen during my year – that we’re there to help people in need because that’s what we’re about.

“One hundred percent of the money that goes into (the) NEF goes to … helping veterans in need. Overhead is paid … with your dues.”