Auxiliary Emergency Fund

  2011-2012

HISTORY OF THE AEF

The Auxiliary Emergency Fund was started in 1969 from a gift by Auxiliary member Helen Colby Small of Burlington, Wis. Its initial purpose was to help eligible members in financial need or in need of temporary shelter, repairs and food as a result of weather related emergencies or natural disaster. In 1981 the program was expanded to provide educational assistance for a member who through death of her spouse (or divorce), must now provide support for herself and her family. 

The Auxiliary Emergency Fund grant has a maximum grant of $2,400. The educational grant is a one-time grant of $500.

 ELIGIBILITY

A member must be a member for two consecutive years and her current dues must be paid. All other sources for help have been exhausted.

REASONS FOR APPLYING FOR AEF
 

1. When there is no other source of aid available for shelter, food and utilities on a temporary basis for eligible members in financial crisis

2. When there are weather-related emergencies and natural disasters, there is a temporary assistance available for good and shelter to eligible

   members.

3. For eligible members, there is temporary assistance for educational training to upgrade their work skills and for those who lack skills for

   employment. 

APPLICATION

Request an application from Department Headquarters. After the application is completed, return it to your Unit. The Unit will make a recommendation and forward the application to Department Headquarters. The Department will verify the applicant’s membership and forward the application to National Headquarters. The National Grant Committee will review the application and notifies the applicant with a copy to the Department Office. To avoid any delays in the processing of your application, be sure the application is completed to the fullest extent possible. Note – Emergency Funds are not available for accumulated debts.

FUNDING

The Auxiliary Emergency Fund can only survive through voluntary contributions. Each Auxiliary member, Unit, County, District, and Department should strive to make others aware of this program and help solicit donations or initiate fundraising projects for the Fund.

Units should forward checks to their County Treasurer. The County Treasurer sends the checks to the Department Office. Checks should be made out to American Legion Auxiliary Department of New York and put Auxiliary Emergency Fund on the memo line. There are forms for memorial donations online Click here for form    Memorial donations should be sent directly to Department.

NATIONAL AWARDS

Any individual contributor donating $50 or more will receive a Citation and Lapel Pin. Citations can be found at  http://www.alaforveterans.org/members/support_committees/Pages/AuxiliaryEmergencyFund.aspx   and can be printed by the Unit. The Unit and Department contributing the most to the Emergency Fund will receive a Citation (Plaque).

One Department from each Division contributing the most will receive a certificate and special recognition at National Convention. This excludes the Department that receives the Citation (Plaque) above. The Department Secretary’s must certify the donations and they must be received by the respective Divisional Chairman by 06/01/12.

 GOALS

Continue to increase awareness of the Auxiliary Emergency Fund and encourage members, Units, Counties and Districts to increase donations to this worthwhile cause.

RESOURCES:

http://www.alaforveterans.org/members/support_committees/Pages/AuxiliaryEmergencyFund.aspx

REPORTING PROCEDURE:  Note, there are only two reporting dates this year.  Reporting-How-When-Why

Unit Chairmen:  Please send Unit reports  to reach your County Chairman by November 1, 2011, and March 1, 2012

County Chairmen:  Please send County reports  to reach the Dept. Chairman by November 10, 2011, and March 10, 2012

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...

Yvette (Vicky) Alfreds
AEF Chairman
Email: vicky.alfreds@therm.com

For Chairman's physical address,  contact Chairman or  Department Office