Theme: “Believe in the Magic of Community Service and the Gift of Hope you Bring to Those Who Need it.”
A major outreach program of the Auxiliary since 1926, Community Service demonstrates our longstanding commitment to making our communities better places to live, as we support the work of American Legion posts and other organizations in local service projects. You can become involved in your community in multiple ways; see below for some of the many ways you can help those who live around you and don’t forget to include the Juniors, as appropriate.
Areas of Emphasis
- Making our communities better places in which to live is something Auxiliary members strive for each day across this country.
- A major outreach program of the Auxiliary since 1926, Community Service also demonstrates our longstanding commitment to supporting the work of American Legion posts and other organizations in providing assistance with blood drives, first aid and CPR training, child safety programs, support for women in shelters, and disaster and emergency preparedness programs.
Samples of Community Service and How to Accomplish Them
- Singing in the church choir and/or teaching Sunday school
- Volunteering with other groups or organizations such as Red Cross, women shelters, local hospitals
- Are you a Scout leader, teachers aid, coach in school or in park district?
- Planning/volunteering with events like a 5k run, a raffle or dinner to raise money for a hospital, nursing home or other entity in the community, Community Easter Egg Hunts, Christmas parties, Halloween parties, funeral dinners
- Helping out with food banks, food drives, clothing drives, blood drives, volunteer firefighter, bible study groups, blood donations, nursing home donations, cleaning up/ beautification of roads and parks, community boards such as park, library, community and school.
- And other ways not listed.
Whatever you do, please remember to keep track of your involvement. Members do so much, and we need to let others know what we do. You can use email, social media, newsletters, newspapers, and word of mouth. Above all, have fun and enjoy what you do. Smiles are contagious.
You can find more resources on the national website: https://member.legion-aux.org/member/committees/community-service.
Cathy Zito | cczito3228@yahoo.com | 847-560-0459
Department Awards
- PAT’S SOLE SISTERS’ PLAQUE – to the Unit for the best overall participation in the Community Service Program. (Judged from all award application forms received).
- VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD – $25.00 and a certificate to the senior member who volunteers the most in service to their community.
- JR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD – $25.00 and a certificate to the junior member who volunteers the most in service to their community
Personal Awards:
- $10 to the runner up to the Pat’s Sole Sisters Plaque.
- $10 to the Division with the most Unit submitting Community Service Project involving Seniors and Juniors.
- $10 to the District Chairman organizing a community service event for your area like a food drive, clothing drive, blood drive…and sent a narrative with pictures.
- $5.00 to the Division Chairman whose Units have submitted the most narratives
Resources from National
- Youth Hero/Good Deed Award
- Military Child’s Table Setting Ceremony
- Youth Hero Award News Release Template
- Log into the National Website to Access these Items: Click Here
Department Resources