Get to know your Department Chairmen!
Chaplain Carolyn Baranowski
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Public Relations Beth Hallene
CHILDREN AND YOUTH- Lisa GAuthier
Hello everyone!
This year my CHILDREN & YOUTH project is FERONIA FORWARD. Attached you will find information of FERONIA FORWARD's mission.
I am asking that your units hold some fundraisers throughout the year to benefit FERONIA FORWARD.
- We will also be having our 3rd Annual Mini Golf Tournament in March for our big fundraiser. Exact time, date & location will be announced at Fall Conference. You will be able to sponsor a TEE, have a TEAM etc. We will have prizes for best & worst players. It will be another FUN event!
You can also donate individually. Please makes sure to put
ALA Dept of MA C&Y
We want to keep track of ALL donations from ALA Dept of MA so that we can report our totals at the end of the year.
In your memo. The information is listed in the attachment.
I look forward to working with all of you & we’re going to have a great year!
Lisa Gauthier
ALA Dept of MA
C&Y Chairperson
EASTERN DIVISION CHILDREN & YOUTH NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2024
The Child Welfare Foundation is now doing business as the Child Well-Being Foundation.
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is now called the Child Well-Being Foundation.
On Oct. 6 during the annual Fall Meetings of The American Legion, a motion was made and voted on by the American Legion CWF board of directors to change the name of the foundation to one that encompasses the overall needs of the whole child and all aspects of their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
The Child Well-Being Foundation will still have the acronym CWF. Learn more about the foundation.
CWF will continue to provide grants to nonprofits for projects that contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of children. Grants are only given to entities that help U.S. children in a large geographic area; they are not awarded for day-to-day or special operating expenses. Thanks to the generosity of Legion Family and community members, the foundation has awarded over $21 million in grants since 1954 — giving youth-serving nonprofits across this nation the means to promote and operate their programs, plus educate families and communities about the needs of children.
The 2025 CWF grant recipients were announced during the Fall Meetings. In its 71st year, CWF awarded 13 grants totaling $852,593 to youth-serving nonprofit organizations.
American Kidney Fund of Rockville, Md., was awarded $25,000 for "American Kidney Fund Virtual Camp: National Camp for Pediatric Kidney Patients." This grant will fund themed virtual camps for youth suffering from kidney disease. The camps provide an environment for youth to interact with others who suffer from kidney diseases, thereby reducing the isolation and loneliness felt. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion support this grant.
ASXL Rare Research Endowment Foundation of Portland, Maine, was awarded $10,550 for "Care Management Educational Materials." This grant will produce educational materials that empower parent caregivers to advocate for the best care for their children suffering from the ASXL-related disorders. The American Legion Auxiliary supports this grant.
Briggs & Barrett Project of Norfolk, Neb., was awarded $15,000 for "Every Baby Initiative." This grant seeks to provide families with newborns and an Owlet sock that monitors breathing and heart rate when sleeping to help reduce sudden infant death (SIDs). The American Legion Auxiliary and the Eight & Forty support this grant.
Camp Corral of Raleigh, N.C., was awarded $25,000 for "Camp Corral-summer Camp for Children of Military Heroes-2025." This project will allow children of wounded, ill and fallen military heroes to attend camp where they can connect with their peers, foster new connections and learn new skills. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion support this grant.
Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation of Omaha, Neb., was awarded $20,000 for "Children's Nebraska's Child Passenger Safety Program." This grant will provide car seats to families in need, ensuring child safety and educating parents about car seat safety.
Cleveland County ALWS Baseball, Inc. of Shelby, N.C., was awarded $125,000 for "2025 American Legion World Series." This grant will help provide youth-centric activities during the week-long event. The American Legion Auxiliary supports this grant.
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home of Boys Town, Neb., was awarded $25,000 for "Boys Town National Hotline." This grant will raise youth awareness of the mental health services provided by the Boys Town National Hotline.
Gift of Adoption of Northbrook, Ill., was awarded $20,919 for "Adoption Assistance for U.S. Born Children." This project will fund the final needs to complete the adoption of vulnerable children in the United States, giving them permanent families and the chance to thrive. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion support this grant.
LifeCamp USA of Delafield, Wis., was awarded $25,358 for "LifeCamp USA 2025." This grant will cover the cost of camp for those children who have lost a parent in the line of duty, military, police, fire and first responder. The American Legion Auxiliary supports this grant.
Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence of Jackson, Mo., was awarded $5,000 for "The Green Bear Project." This project will cover the printing costs for sexual abuse prevention education for elementary-aged youth.
Spectrum Sailing of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., was awarded $3,500 for "Spectrum Sailing National Autism Sailing Camp." This grant will provide camp opportunities for autistic youth to help foster social development, confidence and teamwork. The American Legion Auxiliary supports this grant.
The American Legion National Headquarters of Indianapolis was awarded $525,000 for "The American Legion Children and Youth National Program-2025." This grant will cover youth programs related to the national capstone events: American Legion National Oratorical Contest, Boys Nation, Junior Shooting Sports Program national championship and American Legion Baseball. The American Legion Auxiliary supports this grant.
The National Children's Cancer Society of Belleville, Ill., was awarded $27,266 for "Journey of Hope: The Transportation Assistance Fund." This project will create promotional materials for the Transportation Assistance Fund, ensuring children with cancer have access to life-saving treatment. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion support this grant.
EDUCATION-Ann Johnson
AMERICANISM-
How to Promote Star Spangled Kids
Auxiliary Emergency Fund-Maggie Roy
My name is Maggie Roy past Department President. We are getting excited for the next year to help our American Veterans throughout the United States. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Southern part and parts of the Midwest. There has been many storms that devasted those areas with thunderstorms, tornados, and Floods. Veterans that are in need and have lost their homes and Loved ones from these devastating weather patterns definitely need our help. In 2018 there were Auxiliary AEF Grants available for hurricane Florence who sweep the Carolinas . I’m sure all of the unit’s and districts are familiar with this program and are willing to help you with any questions you have or get in touch with me at maggiedroy@gmail.com and I will help. In a Crisis, Veterans are helped with a financial hardships due to personal crisis too. Members who are left without shelter or food because of the tragedy, or unemployment or educational training we help. We also give out gifts and baked goods to help our Veterans and their families . In my Unit we give at every meeting and at our District meetings too. we accept any amount at the end of the year. There will also be an award to any District or Unit who have worked to help our Veterans. THANK YOU
In Service for our Veterans
PDP MAGGIE ROY
Constitution and Bylaws-Debra Lyons
Junior Activities-Monique Connor
Leadership-Mary Ann Ventulett
Legislation-
Membership-Ann Fournier
Our goal for 2024-2025 is to reach 100% for membership!
Let’s get creative and have fun and make it exciting to welcome new members. Here are a few tips and encouragement to add members to your Unit.
- Have a bake sale, put up a table for a membership drive
- Have a craft fair, put up a table for a membership drive
- Anytime your Post is having a function, put up a table and host a membership drive
- Talk to prospective members, sell your Unit, tell people what you do
- Be the One to bring in a new Senior member Be the One to bring in a Jr member
- Have a contest within your Unit or District, women love competition, give an award
- Remember, we have done this before and WE Can Do it Again!!!
- Let’s get excited about what we do and why we do it…. What’s your Why?
- Give out awards for the Unit who achieves their membership quota
- Introduce yourself to new faces that come into your Post
How do we keep our current Membership up? Again, let’s get creative. I know most have elderly so make them feel like part of the Legion family. Host a get-together at your Post for the members that don’t get out much, perhaps a Saturday or Sunday brunch to thank them for being a member and for all that they have done. Have a craft night where you get together to create crafts for a craft fair, how about making poppies together? Bring in a few pizzas and make poppies, it’s a blast! Get to know everyone a little bit better and thank them for being a part of the Legion family. Things work a little better when you’re in a relaxed atmosphere. Host a breakfast or lunch for your members, remind them how thankful The American Legion Auxiliary is to have them.
We can do this!!! Just ask me how I am available to help in any way! Please reach out, let’s talk it up! Questions about eligibility, ask me! Make it exciting, ask them Why and tell them your why!
I can be reached at ann.fournier@comcast.net
Let’s have an exciting year full of new faces… and thank you 😊
Department of Massachusetts Membership Chairman
Ann Fournier
Poppy-Ann Fournier & Katina Polemenako
National Security-Kathy Larrivee
VA&R-Sofia Blake
Risk Compliance- Purpose: to review policies and procedures of the Department to identify possible threats to our organization financially, legally, tax exempt status and trust by members in our organization. To make recommendations of proper procedures for oversight, internal controls and a system for checks and balances. Carolyn Singer-Baranowski, Millie Larson and Donna Wilde