The grant is in support of the American Legion Gaming initiative to connect veterans through online gaming tournaments.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 283 has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation’s Veterans Projects Fund to equip four California veterans homes with state-of-the-art video game systems, monitors and peripherals. The project, titled Comfort & Connection in Veteran Homes, is part of a growing initiative by American Legion Gaming (ALG) to bring camaraderie, entertainment and therapeutic engagement to veterans through modern multiplayer gaming.
“This grant will help to reduce veteran isolation by allowing veterans to come together and play video games, regardless of their geographic location,” said Ruth Kahn, President of the Ronald Reagan Auxiliary Unit 283. “There are nine CalVet Nursing Homes in California. We are hoping to eventually connect veterans as far north as Redding to those as far south as Chula Vista.”
Each funded facility could receive gaming consoles such as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch systems, paired with monitors and accessories. The aim is to give veterans access to high-quality gaming experiences and build bridges between facilities through online multiplayer tournaments.
This is about more than entertainment — this is about mental wellness, social connection and building a new kind of community for our veterans. Gaming can reduce isolation, boost morale and open up new forms of engagement for veterans who might otherwise feel isolated and forgotten.
The initiative is more than a one-time installation. It lays the foundation for a larger plan to launch inter-home gaming tournaments, where veterans across the country can compete and connect virtually. These competitions can be hosted and supported by ALG’s nationwide network of servicemember and veteran gamers, some of whom are streamers or esports competitors.
The grant comes at a crucial time for Post 283 and its Auxiliary unit, which has been actively supporting its community following the devastation of the Palisades fire. Despite the challenges, Unit 283 has remained committed to innovation and veteran care. Its success in securing this funding represents a shift toward modernizing American Legion programming for younger generations of veterans while reinforcing the Legion Family’s mission.
As the equipment is installed and veterans begin training and playing, ALG plans to capture the experience through livestreams and events that highlight the positive impact of gaming in veterans’ lives. Plans are also underway to host future charity tournaments to support other American Legion Family programs.
For more information on American Legion Gaming, visit www.americanlegion.gg.
Jared Morgan is the adjutant of American Legion Palisades Post 283 in California and one of the driving forces behind the American Legion Gaming initiative.
- Veteran Support