Department President's Project
Send your Donations to the Department Office
Attn: Secretary/Treasurer 
Juanita Lochner
112 State Street, Suite 1310,
Albany, NY 12207

  2011-2012

As Auxiliary members it is our obligation to provide community service activities that strive to improve the lives of others.  The American Legion Family, including Junior members, can work together to provide activities that aid our veterans, active service members and their families.

Encourage volunteers within the community to help develop and implement programs that meet the specific needs of your community. What better way to “honor their service,” than by giving back to those who risk their lives to protect our freedom.  Suggested activities can be: host a family fun day, serve a meal to a Veterans hospital or nursing home, go to the home of a veteran or active service member and mow their lawn, better yet, plant a garden. “Cultivate the attitude”  that we are there to assist them whenever possible.  Make your activities fun and unique to fit the needs of your community. Remember to report all those wonderful activities.  Share photos and newspaper articles from your community. The seeds you have planted in your community will continue to blossom year after year.

Auxiliary recognized national days of service for 2011 - 2012:

1. 9/11 National Day of Service -  10^th Anniversary ( September 11, 2011)

2. Make a Difference Day – ( October 22, 2011)

3. Veteran’s Day – (November 11, 2011)

4. National Pearl Harbor Day ( December 7, 2011)

5. Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service – (January 16, 2012)

6. National & Global Youth Service Week –  (April 15-21, 2012)

7. National Volunteer Week - )April 15-21, 2012)

8. Flag Day (June 14, 2012)

9. Any day where you can gather a group of volunteers!!!

We must also develop, implement, and monitor community service activities that promote the economic security of veterans, active duty service members and their families. Emphasis on the following will help accomplish these goals.

Veterans Homelessness Prevention & Response

Encourage community service activities to aid veterans, active duty members, and their families who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. Prepare a meal, organize a social or educational event for a homeless program, collect new or gently used clothing, household furnishings, and personal hygiene items. Offer life skills education, spouse career advancement, personal financial management, relocation assistance, and tax filing services.

Job Fairs

Sponsor or organize a job fair to connect veterans and their families to employment ideas. Make this a Legion family project and reach out to TAL National Economic Commission

    Department or Unit Innovative Activity

Plan a community service activity that is unique and/or meets the need of low income or homeless veterans, active duty service members, and/or their families that would otherwise go unmet.

Department Community Service Awards

Marion Autenrith Award:
To the Unit initiating and completing the most Outstanding Community Service Project during the year.  Entry must be a typewritten narrative not to exceed 500 words, a fly leaf to list the Unit name and number, Unit Chairman’s name and address, name of County, Department, and Unit membership.  Please include any newspaper clippings and pictures. All entries must be submitted to Department Chairman Karen St.Hilaire (122 Campbell Rd, Mattydale, NY 13211)  by May 10, 2012

Mary Anne Casadei's Angels in the Outfield Award:
To the Unit and County and County Chairman for the best overall program to promote education and assistance to families with loved ones who suffer from a movement or neurological disorder, to include Parkinson’s and Dementia, but not limited to either.  Entry must be a typewritten narrative report not to exceed 100 words. Newspaper clippings and pictures may be included.  Also include work done in nursing homes, hospitals, and homebound patients.  All entries must be submitted to Department Chairman Karen St.Hilaire (122 Campbell Rd, Mattydale, NY 13211)  by May 10, 2012

Phyllis Bachman Award:
To the County Community Service Chairman- reporting the most Outstanding Countywide Community Service Event.  Winner to be determined by the number if individuals involved and the extent of to those in need.  Report must be typewritten, include a fly leaf  with the name of the County, and the name and address of the County Community Service Chairman.  Please include all newspaper articles, pictures, and any additional pertinent information. All entries must be submitted to Department Department Chairman Karen St.Hilaire (122 Campbell Rd, Mattydale, NY 13211)  by May 10, 2012

National Community Service Awards

Department Award:
A citation will be presented to the Department Community Service Chairman in each division with the most outstanding overall promotion of the Community Service Program during the 2011-2012 administrative year.  Each entry must include at least two designated areas of special emphasis.  Entry must be in narrative form not to exceed 1,000 words and must include a completed copy of the annual report form.  Entry must be postmarked by June 1, 2012 and sent to the Division Chairman.

Unit Award:
A citation will be presented to the Unit in each Division with the most outstanding overall promotion of the Community Service Program during the 2011-2012 administrative year.  Each entry must include at least two designated areas of special emphasis.  Entry must be in narrative form not to exceed 1,000 words.  The Unit name and address, name of Department and a completed copy of the annual report form also must be included. Entry must be postmarked by May 1, 2012 and be sent to Department Community Service Chairman, Karen St.Hilaire - (122 Campbell Rd,  Mattydale, NY 13211 ). Each Department Chairman will select a winning entry, which she will submit to Division Chairman, postmarked by June 1, 2012.

Junior Volunteer of the Year Award:
A Junior member from each division will be honored for outstanding service in at least one activity emphasized in the Plan of Action.  To be eligible for the award, volunteer service must be provided during the 2011-2012 administrative year.  The application must be fully completed with required certification and a narrative of 300-500 words must be completed by the entrant.  Unit entry must be postmarked by May 1, 2012, and sent to the Department Community Service Chairman, Karen St.Hilaire  - (122 Campbell Rd,  Mattydale, NY 13211 ). Each Department Chairman will select a winning entry and submit that entry to the Division Chairman, postmarked by June 1, 2011.
Click here for Junior Volunteer Application 

Resources:

1. www.legion-aux.org

2. www.mlkday.org

3. www.legion.org (search economic div)

4. www.serve.gov  

5. www.whitehouse.gov   (keywords: military families)
        See program page on www.ALAforVeterans.org  for additional resources.