Theme: “Give the Gift of Hope through the Auxiliary Emergency Fund”
All donations for this Program are forwarded to National. The National Organization, in turn, provides grant assistance including temporary emergency help to eligible members who have suffered a significant financial setback as a result of an act of nature or another personal crisis.
Grants Offered:
- Emergency Assistance Grants
- Disaster Assistance
- Hardship Assistance
There have been many natural disasters throughout our nation, and locally in Illinois. No one ever thinks it will happen to them, until it does. From wildfires to tornadoes, to personal hardships, when these disasters take place even the best emergency preparedness can fall short of what the immediate needs are to secure safety to yourself and family.
The AEF is a national grant assistance program that provides financial assistance to eligible members of the American Legion Auxiliary who have endured a significant financial setback as the result of an act of nature or other personal crisis. The Auxiliary Emergency Fund is there to provide hope during a crisis. As stated on the National American Legion Auxiliary website:
“Members helping members – that’s the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission of Service Not Self in action. Hard times can fall upon us at any moment. That’s when the American Legion Auxiliary is committed to help.”
The AEF fund was created in 1969 from the gift of Helen Colby Small, an Auxiliary member from Burlington, Wisconsin. Helen understood that when a crisis happens, providing hope to those affected is critical. Now, more than 50 years later, the AEF grants are still an important part of the support to members today. There are two types of emergencies that qualify you for assistance: Disaster Assistance, such as fires, flooding, or tornadoes, and Emergency Assistance to assist with basic needs such as shelter, food, and utilities. Applications for disaster assistance must be received within three months of a disaster event. One grant (disaster or hardship) per grantee will be awarded within a 12-month period, at a maximum of $3,000.
For a member to be eligible for assistance, they must have their current dues paid and have maintained membership in good standing for three consecutive years, which is the current and the immediate past 2 years. The application for assistance is found online, through the National website at: ALAforVeterans.org. You can also find information on the Facebook page for members.
My “hope” is that all Units, Districts, and Divisions watch for members who may need AEF assistance. Talk to them about the program, provide information or even assist them in completing the application. You could make the difference in someone’s life, helping them “believe” and “hope” for a better future.
To those who have donated in the past, thank you! Your generosity has provided hope to countless members when they needed it the most.
Julie Schuppner | jschuppy@aol.com | 815-980-2492
Department Award
- ANN’S REPORTERS PLAQUE – to the District with the highest contribution to the fund by June 1. This total does NOT include Unit donations.
Personal Awards:
$10 To the Unit with the highest contribution by June 1.
$10 To the Division with the highest contribution by June 1.
Resources from National
- Auxiliary Emergency Fund Application
- Expeditated Auxiliary Emergency Fund Application
- Certificate of Appreciation
- Log into the National Website to Access these Items: Click Here
Helpful Websites