2017 TFA grants: $588,434 assists 433 veterans, 933 children

In 2017, The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program provided $588,434 in grants that helped meet the basic needs for 933 minor children of 433 eligible veterans. Of the TFA grants awarded last year, $15,500 aided 68 children of 31 veterans who were affected by Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria.

TFA grants help American Legion-eligible veterans, with minor children in the home, meet the cost of shelter, food, utilities, clothing and medical expenses in a time of need. These grants are made possible by the support and generosity of the Legion Family and the American Legion Endowment Fund Corporation.

TFA grants have helped keep a Marine veteran and his 16-year-old son in a safe home instead of finding themselves homeless again and ensure an Army veteran didn’t lose his home to foreclosure.

“If it hadn’t been for The American Legion, I would have been trying to figure out how to clothe, house and feed my kids,” said Brent Wightman, a TFA recipient and member of Post 176 in Waverly, Iowa. “The American Legion gave me a mission and a purpose again. They saved my life.”

The Legion’s TFA program has provided more than $16 million in cash grants to Legion-eligible veterans with minor children since its inception in 1925. The program is National Commander Denise H. Rohan’s fundraising project.

“TFA is another way that The American Legion puts families first," Rohan said. "People already know that the Legion helps veterans. But TFA is unique because it helps a veteran, with a minor child(ren) in the home, ensure that their children are safe and cared for. We have earned the trust of our donors and we award grants after a careful vetting process with the interests of the children being the primary consideration.”

For more information about TFA visit www.legion.org/financialassistance. And for online donations to the Commander's Charity Fund visit www.legion.org/donate. Payments by check can be made payable to American Legion Charities and put “Commander’s Charity Fund” on the memo line. Address is P.O. Box 361623, Indianapolis, IN, 46236-1626.