Natural disasters: How you can support victims
Since Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast of Texas, many of you have asked how you can support Legionnaires and their families who have lost their homes to this devastating storm, or have been displaced from their homes due to severe destruction.
Wherever there has been urgent need, The American Legion National Emergency Fund (NEF) has been there, delivering grants, serving meals, providing shelter and comfort.
NEF provides direct financial assistance to Legion Family members and posts affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and wildfires. The program helps heal the wounds following a catastrophe. NEF has distributed nearly $9 million in aid, one grant at a time, to qualified victims in desperate need. These grants are made possible thanks to contributions from Legion Family members and supporters.
A full 100 percent of donations to NEF are turned into grants for individuals, families and posts affected by natural disasters. Donations are not used to cover administrative or promotional costs. The National Emergency Fund has kept posts from closing and enabled Legion Family members to begin to rebuild their homes and their lives after a disaster. Grants of up to $3,000 are awarded to eligible individuals and $10,000 to Legion posts.
Help in times of crisis is one way The American Legion makes significant differences in the lives of veterans, their families and communities. Your tax-deductible donations to the NEF may be made online at www.legion.org/emergency or by sending a check to: American Legion National Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
Those who need to apply for assistance can visit www.legion.org/emergency/apply.
While we do not yet know the full extent of the devastation along the Gulf Coast, or what Hurricane Irma will bring to Legion Family members in its path, we do know that victims will be looking for The American Legion. And The American Legion needs to be there, doing what we do best – serving our country and those who need us.
That service has been felt in Texas.
“It’s an absolute joy to see how The American Legion in Texas and all over is stepping up. God bless every one of them,” said Department of Texas Commander John Hince. “We are going to stay the course to get through this.”
Posts throughout Texas have opened their doors as shelters and donation and distribution centers so their community is safe, fed and cared for. One thing Hince makes clear is that all efforts haven’t been just one American Legion group.
“The one thing that I want to make clear is that this has all been the Legion Family. Everybody is working together,” Hince said.