Gift distributions, free community meals and other efforts to assist children, veterans and others in the community already have taken place, while others are upcoming.
The American Legion Family gives year-round to veterans, their families and their communities. But the holiday season is often a time when the Legion Family goes above and beyond.
Across the nation, the Legion Family has or has scheduled gift distributions, free meals and other gestures of goodwill to those in need or may be struggling in some other way.
The following are examples of some of those efforts. Please share how your post, unit, squadron or chapter is assisting others over the holiday season at legiontown.org.
Arizona
In Peoria, John J. Morris Post 62’s American Legion Riders delivered Christmas gifts to 15 military families from Luke Air Force Base the chapter adopted. Around 20 motorcycles – in a caravan that included Santa Claus, the Grinch and an elf – delivered the gifts.
Arkansas
In Fayetteville, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 100 continued a decades-long tradition of its Toy and Gift Shop, which provides an opportunity for veterans at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center to shop for gifts, free of charge.
“Veterans sign their name on that line, they swore an oath that they were going to take care of us,” said Auxiliary 100 President Joanna Cobb, who also serves as District 1 president. “And then they came back to sometimes not so great circumstances. So now it’s our turn to help take care of them.”
California
In Greenville, Indian Valley American Legion Post 568 hosted a community Christmas dinner that was open to all residents of Plumas County and surrounding communities. Santa made a special appearance at the dinner, handing out holiday gift bags for children.
Georgia
· In Canton, Thomas M. Brady Post 45’s Legion Family teamed with the Cherokee County Homeless Veteran’s Program to host a Breakfast with Santa for post veterans and their families, homeless veterans and low-income veterans. More than 300 guests were provided a pancake breakfast, a visit with Santa that included children receiving gifts, and the presentation of an early Christmas gift to a veteran in the form of a new vehicle through the post’s veteran vehicle donation program. It was the 80th vehicle donated since the program’s inception.
· In Alpharetta, American Legion Post 201 has been collecting Christmas toys for children in need through its Toys for Tots donation boxes.
Indiana
In Indianapolis, Robert G. Mathioudakis Unit 497 is sponsoring a giving tree to provide Christmas presents to four families of veterans being treated at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. To assist the effort, American Legion Riders Chapter 497 staged a toy ride last fall.
Minnesota
In Bloomington, American Legion Post 550 and VFW Post 1296 hosted a children's Christmas party that included a performance by the Bloomington Kennedy High School show choir, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a hot dog lunch. Each child also received a toy.
New York
· In Black River, American Legion Post 673 hosted a free veteran appreciation breakfast that also served as a Christmas celebration. The post teamed with local groups to provide a free meal to families who came to the post. The event also included a Santa’s workshop that included activities and hot chocolate. “Everybody just kind of came together in the community,” Auxiliary Unit 673 Secretary Samantha Atler said. “They all kind of came together to make this another free event for everybody just to make sure, just with everything going on, that everybody has a good Christmas.”
· In Tillson, American Legion Post 1219 will serve a free community dinner on Christmas Day for anyone who wants to attend. The post also will deliver meals to those in the area who cannot make it to the post.
Ohio
· In Lima, Post 96’s Legion Family again hosted its annual children’s Christmas party, a tradition lasting more than 20 years. Teaming with local businesses, the post was able to provide more than 100 families with presents this year; several children also received bicycles through a raffle. Guests also were provided food and activities at the event. “It just shows the unity of The American Legion and how we're able to pull together in today's times and everything going on, to still celebrate and be there for one another,” said Auxiliary Unit 96 member Jatavia Brewer.
· In Continental, Post 541’s American Legion Family will provide free Christmas dinners to the community that will be delivered on Christmas Day. The dinners include turkey and ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, dressing, green beans, rolls and dessert.
Pennsylvania
In Youngsville, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 658 hosted its annual Christmas party for the post Legion Family’s children and grandchildren. The party included a visit from Santa, as well as a gift and box of goodies for each child, as well as cookies and punch. More than 40 children attended.
Members of Unit 658 also delivered gifts to veterans at the Rouse Home, a nursing home in Youngsville.
Virginia
In Vienna, Dyer-Gunnell American Legion Post 180 hosted a children’s Christmas party that included a visit from Santa. And on Dec. 21, the post will host a full breakfast that will feature two special guests: the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who. Attendees will have the opportunity to get their photo taken with both characters.
West Virginia
· In Steubenville, veterans residing in six local nursing homes were provided a Christmas party by American Legion Unit 33 – a tradition more than 35 years old. The party included a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, patriotic and holiday songs, as well as a meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls and cake. Members of the Steubenville Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Steubenville Fire Department assisted the veterans with getting from their vans into the post, while children from Wells Academy in Steubenville performed several Christmas songs for veterans and guests. Each child was given a candy cane full of treats from Santa as they exited the building, while each veteran was provided a gift bag containing pajamas, a blanket, cookies, a puzzle book, crayons, a coloring book and other items to occupy some of their time while in the assisted-care facilities.
· In Chester, American Legion Post 121 hosted its annual Christmas party, complete with a Polar Express theme. The nearly 150 attendees received golden tickets, bells from Santa and hot cocoa, and had the opportunity to take part in ornament making and face painting. High school and middle school students volunteered to help organize the event as part of their community service hours. "We try to make it as magical as possible, all the way down to the little bells, the believe bells, and we try to do a different theme every year,” said Mary Thorn, Unit 121’s Children and Youth chairman and first vice president. “It takes an army. We have so many in this community that help us out.”
· In Logan, American Legion Post 19 hosted two community events this year for the holiday season. The post’s annual children’s Christmas party for all area children ages 10 and younger included pizza, cupcakes, cookie decorating, games, gifts, hats and gloves. Santa Claus and the Grinch also made an appearance at the party. And later that same day, the post hosted its annual veterans Christmas dinner that was open to all area veterans and their families.
- Community