'Just for Kicks, Let's Go for Six'

The American Legion Children and Youth Commission manages a pillar of service guided by three main objectives: to strengthen the family unit, to support quality organizations that provide services for Children and Youth, and to provide communities with well-rounded programs that meet the physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs of young people.

In fiscal year 2011-2012, the Sons of The American Legion was once again the single largest contributor to The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) with donations totaling $506,264 with 26,814 hours of volunteer service. This brings the SAL’s total donations to CWF to more than $5 million.

CWF will once again be a main focus of our commission this year with our slogan being, "Just for Kicks, Let’s Go for Six." We are also requesting your support for Operation Military Kids, Temporary Financial Assistance, Children’s Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House, Child Safety Program, Special Olympics, Children’s Organ Transplant Association, Family Support Network and Josh Dogs.

Total donations from the SAL to the Legion’s Children & Youth programs this past year totaled $9,769,043 with 160,980 hours of volunteer service. Can we hit the $10 million mark this year? With your continued support, we can.

The children of our country are our greatest natural resource. My favorite quote is, "Fifty years from now, it won’t matter the type of house I lived in, the make of car I drove, or the amount of money I had in my bank account. But the world may be better because I made a difference in the life of a child." Let’s continue to make a difference.

Sincerely,

Larry "Bear" Weinzirl

National Children & Youth Commission Chairman