Membership report highlights big month for American Legion grants

During the month of February, the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation disbursed $226,441 in grants to seven different organizations that provide support and services for young people facing difficulties beyond their control; the American Legion Operation Comfort Warriors disbursed $35,600 in grants to provide comfort items or activities for sick, wounded or disabled U.S. military personnel and veterans; the American Legion National Emergency Fund approved $17,250 in grants for veterans and one post for relief from flooding in Missouri and the earthquake in Puerto Rico; and 17 minor children of veterans received $10,711 in American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance grants to help pay for shelter, utilities, food and clothing during financial hardships.

Meanwhile, more than 31,500 Blue Water Navy veterans and survivors applied for VA disability benefits for conditions presumptively caused by Agent Orange in the first month after they became eligible again Jan. 1, 2020. They had been denied eligibility since 2002 because they did not meet the “boots on the ground" criteria in Vietnam, imposed that year.

To see the February report and others, click here.