NEF deadlines, extensions for hurricane victims
Florida American Legion Department Commander Steve Shuga helps unload water at Post 43 in Homestead, Fla., on Friday, September 15, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.

NEF deadlines, extensions for hurricane victims

The American Legion's National Emergency Fund (NEF) provided $367,375 in grants last year. Legionnaires and posts in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico received the bulk of the aid after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria struck those areas, respectively.

“This is what The American Legion does,” said National Commander Denise H. Rohan. “When our brothers and sisters face tough times, we pull together as a family, to provide whatever help they need – an emergency grant, a shelter for the night or just comfort from a fellow veteran.”

NEF provides emergency grants to eligible members of The American Legion and SAL who have been victimized by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and more. Individuals can receive grants up to $3,000, while Legion posts can receive up to $10,000.

The deadline for hurricane victims in Florida and Texas to apply for an NEF grant is Feb. 1. NEF applicants from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands can still apply after the deadline. And extensions can be granted to others depending on their circumstances.

To apply for a grant, please visit www.legion.org/nef.

Two Texas posts and one in Florida received the full amount from NEF.

“It is critical to help these posts recover, not only for their members and The American Legion as a whole, but for the communities which they serve,” Rohan said. “We’ve seen from past disasters like Superstorm Sandy that investing in a post’s recovery pays immense dividends when members return to serving their communities once again.”

To donate to NEF, please visit www.legion.org/donate.