Help Commander Schmidt support veterans, children
American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt receives a donation from Hollywood Post 43 for his fundraising project during Post 43's Walk for Veterans Dec. 11, 2016. (Photo by Jon Endow/The American Legion)

Help Commander Schmidt support veterans, children

American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt received a check for $5,000 when he visited Post 291 in Newport Beach, Calif., early last month. The donation was in support of his fundraising project – $1 million for Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) and $1 million for the Legion's service officer training program.

"Our post motto is veterans first, so we believe in Commander Schmidt’s project of supporting TFA and service officers. And we believe in what The American Legion does," said Douglas Nye, Post 291 commander. "His fundraising project hits home because we have a lot of vets here in California that need our help."

Upon his election as national commander during the 98th National Convention in Cincinnati, Schmidt announced his fundraising project would support service officer training and the TFA program, which provides cash grants to children of eligible veterans who need assistance with maintaining basic needs such as shelter, utilities, clothing, food and medical care. Since 1925, TFA has awarded more than $15 million in cash grants to veterans with minor children at home.

“Today, The American Legion represents nearly 800,000 veterans seeking benefits. It is essential that our several thousand accredited service officers have the latest and best training so they can represent veterans as well as they represented us," Schmidt said. "That means staying current on VA policies and state and federal laws.

“And it is our job to take care of veterans and take care of their families. Touching the lives of veterans and their families is who we are and a great example of that is through our Temporary Financial Program."

Following his election last September, Schmidt visited Post 356 in Panama City, Fla., and was presented a donation check for $1,000. Post 356 Commander Sam Spice said he has assisted 51 veterans over the past several months with VA benefits.

"We have a giving heart, and we want to take care of veterans and their families," Spice said.

Post 43 in Hollywood, Calif., hand-delivered a check for $1,000 to Schmidt during its Walk for Veterans in December. And Post 396 in Geneva, N.Y., made a donation of $600 because "it's a very important thing to do," said Post 396 Commander Dale VanDeViver. "It's for the good of the Legion, and it's for a good cause."

To donate online to the Commander's Charity Fund, click here.

Checks can be made payable to American Legion Charities; put "Commander's Charity Fund" on the memo line. Mail to The American Legion at 5745 Lee Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46216.

The fund has 501(c)(3) status and all money raised goes directly to the programs.