Once again, the departments that generate the most donations will receive an award from the national commander.
The Department of California is off and running, walking, cycling and raising critical funds for The American Legion 100 Miles for Hope.
The department kicked off its 2022 100 Miles for Hope campaign with a mile walk at Veterans Memorial Park in Santa Maria during its Department Executive Committee (DEC) on March 12.
“The thing about walking is it clears your head,” Department Commander Autrey James said. “If you have been inside all day, listening to speakers, giving reports, it’s really refreshing to be able to get out into the fresh air. Then, as you are walking, it clears the fuzz that you get from sitting all day.”
(Don’t delay, register and start your 100 Miles for Hope journey today. Registration fees and donations fund the American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation. The V&CF provides grants for military families facing financial hardship and provides resources for disabled veterans to receive their earned benefits.)
In 2021, James helped launch the Department Breakout Challenge, encouraging other departments to see who could raise the most funds for the V&CF. The winners included California, Minnesota, Michigan, New Jersey, Alabama and Idaho. Each winning department received a plaque from the national commander, recognizing their accomplishment.
Again this year, the departments that raise the most money for the V&CF in their category will receive a plaque from the national commander. For more about the Department Challenge, visit this page and scroll down for information on how to join your department team and a breakdown of the department categories, divided up by size.
James outlined why he is so passionate about 100 Mile for Hope.
“One is for health reasons,” he said. “One of the things we did at this DEC is we focused on veterans health,” he said. “It wasn’t just a day of sitting and going through reports. We brought in folks who discussed with us the importance of veterans maintaining their health. For me personally, I have had some health challenges over the last year coming out of COVID. My doctor told me the best thing I could do was to keep active. It’s also a good time to get together with our comrades. It’s fun to get them pumped up for the challenge going forward.”
The afternoon session was dedicated to health and wellness, according to Chris Yates, department judge advocate.
Before the official kickoff walk, Dr. Carol Bowman from the Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presented on VA’s Whole Health initiative. “It’s an endeavor that VA is taking for Whole Health with different modalities in which veterans can use to establish a plan to which they can live and act healthier,” Yates said.
Jennifer Campbell, the 24th District commander, followed Bowman with a presentation, “The Power of Walking.” Campbell discussed why it’s important to move every day. Jeff Daly, who along with Campbell is a member of Hollywood Post 24, discussed 100 Miles for Hope.
“We believe that as a department, we need to embrace one another again, we need to get back to hugging,” Yates explained. “We need to get back to uniting as veterans, re-establishing that camaraderie, living a better and more healthy lifestyle while raising funds for The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation. We’re going to have some fun here today.”
Yates challenged other departments, saying California would not only accumulate the most miles, but also raise the highest total of fundraising dollars for the V&CF.
“We want to be among the leaders in reaching the national commander’s goal of $450,000. Our goal is to make sure that he gets that. California is going to be leading the way. But more importantly, besides raising that money, we’re going to help one other by becoming healthier and live better and happier lives.”
- 100 Miles