How are you assisting others during the holiday season?

Whether it be providing toys and other gifts, holiday parties or much-needed household essentials, American Legion Family members have stepped up to assist others during the holiday season. And those efforts already are under way this season.

In November and continuing an effort that began in 2018, American Legion Riders Chapter 57 in Lake City, Fla., conducted another large fundraiser for the Columbia and Suwannee County Toys for Tots. Previous efforts each raised around $10,000 in funds and toys, but this year’s brought in $13,000.

The fundraiser came at a critical time. The American Legion and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation recently solidified a partnership to enhance their collaboration to collect new, unwrapped toys for distribution where needs are greatest this holiday season. The two entities have identified specific geographic areas where gaps occur in the service. American Legion posts in those communities will be alerted and provided information about how they can get involved in those areas, by visiting www.toysfortots.org/campaigns.

But Toys for Tots is just one way American Legion Family members assist others during the holiday season. In Albany, Ore., American Legion Post 10 has hosted an annual Christmas party and toy giveaway that in 2020 provided toys to 1,350 children ages 12 and under. The party itself had to be canceled last year because of the pandemic but is back on for noon on Dec. 18 – again with the toy giveaway.

Post 52 in La Crosse, Wis., has set up a Buddy Tree that will have the names of local veterans in need and is asking the community to donate items so those veterans will receive gifts during the holidays. Other posts are leading letter-writing campaigns to deployed servicemembers.

What is your post or American Legion Family doing to assist others through this holiday season, or teaming with Toys for Tots in some way? We want to know so we can share it in our national media channels. Email sbrooks@legion.org, and then remember to share your efforts at www.legiontown.org.