Mary Sebben has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 15 years. With a father, husband, brother, sister, son, and two grandchildren who all served in the military, Mary has a strong connection to veterans, military, and their families, and a strong passion for serving them.
“I just wanted to give back to our military and our veterans as much as I could, so I decided to join the American Legion Auxiliary so I could serve them,” she said. “We can never give back what they have sacrificed for us, but I wanted to give back something.”
Mary has given quite a lot back to our veterans, military, and their families in her years of ALA membership. After holding president positions at the unit, county, district, and state levels of the ALA, she is now the national Poppy Committee Central Division chairman. Throughout the last 15 years, the ALA has become an important part of Mary’s life.
“I can’t imagine my life without the ALA. It definitely wouldn’t be as fulfilling. I am just thankful that I have the experiences of these last 15 years. I wouldn’t change it for the world,” she said.
With a special mission to help our nation’s heroes heal from the physical and emotional scars they bring home from their service, Mary donates monthly to the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation’s Veterans Creative Arts Festival fund. Through this monthly gift, she is providing direct and long-term support for programs that will help veterans heal.
“My heart just aches for those who come back from these conflicts with physical and emotional scars,” she said. “Their families sacrifice a lot too, and this supports them all the better.”
Mary points out that donating monthly is only a small gesture in return for the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes, but it is a great way to show your support for them.
“We live in a country that we are free because of our veterans, our military, and the sacrifice of their families, and [monthly giving] is something that would just be a wonderful way to show your patriotic commitment,” she said.
Mary understands that committing to a monthly donation can be overwhelming, but she also pointed out that it doesn’t take much to help our veterans, military, and their families. If we all just donate a little bit each month, we can help solve all of the issues facing our nation’s heroes, and more!
“Everyone makes difference in this world,” Mary said. “When you multiply that by thousands, what a difference it can make.”
If you want to join Mary and make a difference in the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, start your monthly gift now to the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation or American Legion Auxiliary. Remember: It doesn’t take a lot, but if we all do our part, we can change the lives of our nation’s heroes.