Child Welfare Foundation Awards over $734,000 in grants

INDIANAPOLIS (OCT. 17, 2012) -- The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, in its 58th year, has awarded $734,220 to 20 non-profit organizations.  These grants, determined during the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, held at the Sheraton Hotel City Centre in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, October 14, 2012, have been awarded to support worthwhile projects through the dissemination of information to the general public and specific target groups.   The following is a brief summary of the grants awarded for 2013:

American Academy of Pediatrics of Elk Grove Village, Illinois was awarded $12,180 for their project, "Connected Kids."  This grant will update and enhance the content of Connected Kids, taking into account new forms of violence (i.e. cyber bullying) and new research on issues related to exposure to violence and toxic stress.  The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

Childhood Leukemia Foundation of Brick, New Jersey was awarded $60,000 for their project "Hope Binders."  Grant will produce and distribute 2,000 Hope binders to 200 hospitals across the nation.  The binders assist families with the task of tracking and prioritizing medical information and costs associated with their child's treatment.

Children's Organ Transplant Associationof Bloomington, Indiana was awarded $43,050 for their project "Bowling for Life."  Grant will produce "Bowling for Life" fundraising materials such as templates for events with step-by-step instructions, media releases, social networking tips, etc.  The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

CureSearch for Children's Cancer of Bethesda, Maryland was awarded $25,500 for their project "Childhood Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: CureSearch Webinar Series.  This grant will provide funding for three webinar programs to help families manage the psychosocial aspects for having a child with cancer.  The Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

Darkness to Light of Charleston, South Carolina was awarded $45,486 for their project "Helping Military Families Prevent Child Abuse."  The grant will produce and distribute 15,000 "sets" of child abuse prevention educational materials customized for military families to thirty-three Armed Forces YMCAs in the United States.  The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

Diabetes Education & Camping Association of Huntsville, Alabama was awarded $40,000 for their project "D-Source: The New and Improved Website of U.S. Diabetes Camps."  Grant will reconstruct the DECA website to improve member camp's and the public's ability to access online information about diabetes camps for youth and families.

Huntington's Disease Society of America of New York, New York was awarded $30,000 for their project "Talking to Your Children about Huntington's Disease Handbook."  Grant will fund a comprehensive handbook to guide parents through the process of explaining HD to a child, their peers, and respective school.  The Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

Immune Deficiency Foundation of Towson, Maryland was awarded $48,500 for their project "The Little Zebra – A Children's Storybook."  The grant will produce an illustrated children's storybook that will help explain primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD) to a child or their peers.  The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of New York, New York was awarded $39,500 for their project "Type One – The Teen Years."  The grant will produce a DVD that will help teens understand the importance of maintaining a healthy balance of diet, exercise, and insulin intake.

Mercy Flight Southeast, Inc. of Leesburg, Florida was awarded $17,394 for their project "Project Outreach SE USA 2012."  Grant will update and reprint the original Mercy Flight tri-fold information brochure which includes contact information to request transportation and an opportunity to donate to Mercy Flight and volunteer as a pilot or "earth angel."  The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

National Autism Associationof Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts was awarded $58,000 for their project "Big Red Safety Box Program."  Grant would produce 3,000 safety kits to be given free to families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

National Center for Learning Disabilities of New York, New York was awarded $45,000 for their project "LD Navigator for Pediatric Healthcare Professionals."  This grant will produce the "Ask the Expert" videos, to be included in the toolkits to help pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners serve the learning disabled.  The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

National Court Appointed Special Advocate Associationof Seattle, Washington was awarded $40,000 for their project "Ready, Set, Raise! I am for the child tools and training for grassroots activation."  Grant will produce the "Ready, Set, Raise! Project" of an activation guide with two toolkits for grassroots activation in local CASA markets. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

National Exchange Club Foundation of Toledo, Ohio was awarded $24,530 for their project "Believe in the Blue 2013 – What do I do when my child…?"  Grant will produce 44,000 "What to do when my child…?" booklets, 40,000 tip cards, 26,000 "message" magnets and 500 posters.  The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

National Marfan Association of Port Washington, New York was awarded $25,000 for their project "KidZone Online Community Space."  Grant will create and maintain Marfan KidZone, an online space that will make it possible for children with Marfan syndrome and their families to access age appropriate information and activities to help them understand their condition.  The Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

Our Military Kids of McLean, Virginia was awarded $60,000 for their project "Strengthening the Our Military Kids Brand."  Grant will produce and distribute a public service announcement and conduct a PR campaign.  The Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

Spina Bifida Association of Washington, DC was awarded $45,000 for their project "Educating Children with Spina Bifida on Health Issues They are Facing."  Grant will produce and distribute copies of the books "Detour Ahead" and "Another Way to Go" to support the needs of children with SB and their parents.

SuperSibs! of Palatine, Illinois was awarded $16,210 for their project "SuperSibs! SibSPEAK Website."  Grant will fund the creation of website for teens called SibSPEAK.  The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

The National Children's Cancer Society of St. Louis, Missouri was awarded $15,870 for their project "Moving Mountains."  Grant will provide an activity book for children ages 6-12 with cancer and a pamphlet for college age students.  The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

US Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation of Columbus, Ohio was awarded $43,000 for their project "Trailblazer Adventure Program – Blazing an Outdoor Trail."  Grant will produce informational handouts and newsletters, and enrich website.  The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.