American Legion Post 77 in Indiana donates more than $5,000 to relief efforts following record August flooding, continuing the effort to assist its community.
In August, record rainfall caused historic flooding throughout Central Indiana – including in Brookville, where the White River crested at more than 25 feet. And while the physical structure at Bernard Hurst American Legion Post 77 was unharmed, members of the post knew veterans in the area would be impacted.
The post stepped up for those veterans then, and recently the post’s American Legion Family went a step further to assist other members of the community in the area still dealing with the results of the record flooding.
Post 77’s Legion Family recently presented a $5,200 donation to the Franklin County Community Foundation that came from the post, as well as its American Legion Auxiliary Unit, American Legion Riders chapter and Sons of The American Legion squadron. The money will go to assist those Franklin County residents affected by the flooding.
“To me, the Legion is here for the community,” Post 77 Vice Commander Faith Jones said. “We want the community to know that we are here to help. That we are here to assist. We are here to help the community get through anything or any crisis that comes around. That’s very important for the Legion.”
Post 77 was not physically impacted but the flooding, but area veterans were. Post 77 made local veterans a priority at first. Jones said the first story of one veteran’s home – who was married with three children – was flooded, forcing the family to reside entirely on the home’s second floor. But with area water being contaminated, the family couldn’t even risk brushing their teeth.
“We put them up in a hotel for a week so they could get everything cleaned up,” Jones said. “We gave them a gift card for food and a gas gift card.
“There was another veteran who had a travel trailer, and he was able to stay in his trailer while his house was getting ready. But he needed gas for the generator, so we gave him gas cards for that. So we took care of the veterans first.”
Being a part of the community has been a priority in recent years. The post has started a Breakfast with Santa program, along with hosting Easter egg hunts and getting involved in local parades. Later this month, the post will co-host a Trunk or Treat event with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2014 on Oct. 31
In addition to Squadron and Unit 77 hosting a Veterans Day breakfast, the post also is also hosting a Veteran Appreciation Banquet on Nov. 14 at the Schilling Center in Brookville. Franklin County veterans and one guest are invited to a free night that includes a social hour that will feature veteran resource tables – including representatives from the Cincinnati VA Medical Center – as well as dinner and entertainment.
“It’s going to be really nice,” Jones said. “It’s a free night for them. We have entertainment. We have door prizes. We have tables with health resources, mental health resources, things like that.
“We’ve come a long way in the past four to five years. We’re getting our name out. We want our community to know we’re a part of it and we’re here for it.”
- Community