Colorado post puts the “fun” in fundraiser; Connecticut post shows no stopping with blood donations.
Two American Legion Post 209s may be located in different states, but they share the same mission – supporting veterans, their families and their community through American Legion programs.
American Legion Family members of the Neal Thomas Jr.-Centennial Post 209 in Colorado Springs, Colo., “understand what it means to give and support our programs.” The most recent example is the Department of Colorado’s Legion Riders Pony Express fundraiser where Legion Riders from across the state ride in support of The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. The fund provides scholarships to children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active duty or who have a combined VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater.
In support of the Pony Express, Auxiliary Unit 209 and District 7 treasurer Kellie Hayes had the idea of a $20 donation in the name of anyone’s choosing. The donations were collected in seven buckets by American Legion department leadership, including Riders State Chairman Steve Butner, American Legion Riders State Vice Chairman Steve Hayes, and Past Department Commander and National Membership & Post Activities Chairman Jay Bowen. The top three buckets with the most money collected participated in a stick horse race in the parking lot of Post 209 on July 17, the last stop for the Pony Express.
Bowen, Hayes Butner made the top three and competed on their respective stick ponies. “The race ended with (Hayes) coming in first, but I think the video (taken) suggested he may have tripped (Butner) to gain and maintain the lead. Jay’s horse couldn’t run straight so he ended up in third place, even cutting across the infield boundary at the end (we have it on video),” wrote Bowen, Hayes and Kellie Hayes.
“But the real winners that day were the children of our fallen heroes.”
The Post 209 Legion Family generated more than $12,000 for the Pony Express through the seven buckets. These buckets traveled to the Department of Colorado’s convention and other Legion events. The total amount collected for the Legacy Fund includes $7,465 from the stick pony race buckets and $4,599 from Post 209 Legion Family donations.
For 2021, the Department of Colorado has raised over $24,000 for the Legacy Fund – more than double the $11,008 raised in 2019.
American Legion Post 209 in Forestville, Conn., has been working with the American Red Cross over the last year to collect blood donations. The post has collected 802 units of blood.
“During the challenging times of the past year, we decided to step up and do something that’s never been done before with the American Red Cross because there was a dire need of blood due to COVID-19 and a blood shortage that still continues today,” said Brian Avery, commander of Post 209.
Post 209 “proudly took on this challenge and decided to be part of the solution. It’s been over 12 months since we started this program, and the blood drives continue today and we’re not stopping any time soon. We actively volunteer at all these blood drives and have built an amazing relationship with the workers from the American Red Cross.
A saying that Avery often says is, “Let’s be an everyday hero and today’s the day you save someone’s life.”
The American Legion wants to hear how your post is supporting veterans, their families and your community through programs at the post and national level. Share your story on www.legiontown.org.
- Dispatch