Kickoff Children & Youth Month
Members of American Legion Post 141 in Howell, Mich., are a great example of upholding the Children & Youth pillar. The post recently contacted every school in the district and paid off a student lunch debt of over $1,000 to ensure no child goes hungry. Several post members also had lunch with middle school students, as pictured above.
“It was probably one of the better things our post has done for sure,” said past Post 141 Commander Bobby Brite.
Children & Youth is the fourth pillar of The American Legion. And for more than 80 years, the Legion has supported today’s young people by observing April as Children & Youth Month. During this month, American Legion Family members are encouraged to show their local communities our dedication to young people by supporting child health, education, family support and more.
The American Legion Family of District 21 in Alabama is supporting Children & Youth Month by hosting a Stop the Violence 5K Run/Walk on Sat., April 20, at Railroad Park in Birmingham. The event aims to raise awareness of gun violence in the Birmingham and surrounding areas, to help support, strengthen and advocate for safer neighborhoods and communities, and to benefit local youth charities through money raised. Register here if you live in the area.
Get started on supporting Children & Youth Month with these resources:
- Download the April is Children & Youth Month brochure for ideas on how to support and promote Children & Youth Month in your community.
- Educate eligible miliary and veteran families about The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program. TFA provides immediate financial grants of up to $1,500 to eligible military veterans and Legion members with children in the home who are facing a hardship. These are one-time grants designed to help meet the cost of shelter, food, utilities and health expenses so children have a stable environment during a time of hardship. Learn more here.
- Visit local elementary schools and teach flag education with the help of the Legion’s “Our Country’s Flag” and “I Pledge Allegiance” comic book available through Emblem Sales.
- Visit https://www.legion.org/youth for additional resources and programs supporting children and youth.
We want to hear from you. What is your post doing to support children and youth in your community? Please share by emailing dispatch@legion.org or submit your story to www.legiontown.org.