Members Helping Members

The Auxiliary Emergency Fund, started in 1969 from proceeds from the Estate of Helen Colby Small, an American Legion Auxiliary member, is maintained through donations from individual Members, Units, Counties, and Departments of the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as from memorial and honor contributions to the Fund.

Needy senior Auxiliary members are assisted with a grant from the Auxiliary Emergency Fund when no other source of aid is available. Temporary financial assistance is provided in time of a financial crisis to help pay for food, shelter, and utilities. The Fund also helps the members in need of temporary shelter, repairs, and food resulting from weather-related emergencies or natural disasters.  A maximum grant of $2,400.00 can be given to a member. The total amount is determined by the Grant Committee.

In 1981, the Auxiliary Emergency Fund Program was expanded to provide educational assistance for the displaced homemaker, an Auxiliary member that due to divorce or to the death of her spouse, must now support herself and her family. She can be provided short-term financial grants for training to prepare her to return to today's workforce.

Eligibility Requirements

1. A member must be a member for two (2) consecutive years.
2. Current dues must be paid.
3. All other sources of financial assistance must have been exhausted.

1. Request an Application from the Department Headquarters.
2. Member completes the Application and returns it to her Unit.
   (Please note that accurate completion of the Application form will eliminate delays in the Grant to the needy member).
3. Unit makes recommendations and forwards the complete Application to Department Headquarters.
4. Department verifies membership and forwards the Application to the National Office.
5. The National Grant Committee reviews the Application and notifies the Applicant with a copy sent to the Department Office.

Auxiliary Emergency Fund Committee Responsibility

The Auxiliary Emergency Fund Committee has the responsibility of raising funds to help our needy members through active fundraising efforts. It is also necessary to inform all Auxiliary members of this great program in case someone might be in need of assistance. The Auxiliary Emergency Fund is the only Auxiliary program that gives members an opportunity to help each other.( Members Helping Others)  In the event of an emergency it is comforting to know that help is available to our members.

1. Make all checks payable to American Legion Auxiliary Department of New York and ear-mark Auxiliary Emergency Fund
2. Units forward checks to your County Treasurer.
3. County Treasurer will send check to Department Office (112 State Street, Suite 1310, Albany, New York 12207).
4. For Memorial or Honorary donations, please send completed form directly to the Department Office.
   (Click here for form)

1. Citation to Unit contributing the most to the Auxiliary Emergency Fund.
2. Lapel pins given to Contributors donating $25 or more.
3. Citations will be given to Units and Individuals that contribute $100 or more to the Auxiliary Emergency Fund.
4. 40^th Anniversary Award - National Citation Plaque will be presented to the Unit reporting the "Most Creative Fundraising Project for the Auxiliary Emergency Fund," written report not to exceed 1000 words. Photos with titles may be included, but will not be returned. Submit entry by June 1, 2010 to National Auxiliary Emergency Fund Chairman, Kathy Dungan 5059 Timberlane Rd, Wesson, MS 39191

REPORTING PROCEDURE:

Unit Chairmen:  Please send Unit reports  to reach your County Chairman by November 1, 2009, March 1, 2010 and May 1, 2010.

County Chairmen:  Please send County reports  to reach the Dept. Chairman by November 10, 2009, March 10,  2010 and May 10,  2010.

Mary Smallcomb
Auxiliary Emergency Fund Chairman
Email: Mary Smallcomb

For Chairman's physical address, contact   Department Office 

Note: Forms are in PDF Format and can be filled out using your computer keyboard.
However, you cannot save data typed into any  forms unless you have the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software!
Please print at least 2 copies of your completed form, mail one to the chairman, and save one for your  records.
If you try to e-mail it without the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software, the chairman will receive a BLANK PAGE...