Legion Family stands ready to help as natural disasters progress
Saturday will mark the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s destructive landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi. And while the Gulf Coast will be spared from a devastating “one-two punch” of back-to-back hurricanes after Tropical Storm Marco weakened, the area remains under threat from Tropical Storm Laura.
Laura could strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall this week.
As with other natural disasters, the American Legion Family is ready to help.
“Fifteen years ago, Hurricane Katrina ravished our Gulf Coast. American Legion Family members everywhere responded with financial support. Posts in the area quickly transitioned into relief centers and shelters. Truckloads of water, clothes and other supplies came from all corners of The American Legion and made their way to the impacted areas,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford said. “It appears as if we will have another busy hurricane season. Regardless of what type of natural disasters lie ahead, I am confident that The American Legion will once again rise to the occasion and serve those in need.”
The hurricane threat in the southeast looms as firefighters continue to battle wildfires in California. Seven people have died from those fires, which include the second- and third-largest wildfires in state history in terms of acreage burned.
National Emergency Fund
The American Legion’s National Emergency Fund (NEF) is available to help American Legion members and posts, and Sons of The American Legion members, who have been impacted by natural disasters.
The NEF provides up to $3,000 for Legion and SAL members with an active membership who have been displaced due to damages to their primary residence, and up to $10,000 for posts that have been damaged by a natural disaster and whose programs and activities within the community are impacted. To apply for an NEF grant, please visit www.legion.org/emergency.
Since its creation in 1989 in response to the devastation of Hurricane Hugo, the NEF has provided more than $8 million in direct financial assistance to American Legion and SAL members and American Legion posts.
Donations are also accepted to fund the NEF. One hundred percent of donations to the NEF directly help veterans and their families recover from natural disasters. To donate to the NEF, click here.
Share your stories
American Legion posts that are helping their communities affected by these or other natural disasters are encouraged to share their stories. Email wproffet@legion.org with details. We’ll follow up with you and feature those efforts on legion.org and on social media.