Through her time as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Past National President Janet Jefford has had a unique opportunity to see and experience the impact the Auxiliary has on the veterans, military, and families they serve, but also on the members themselves. Jefford is no exception. She has experienced professional and personal growth
The ability to express yourself is vital for your mental health. For veterans, this process can be extremely challenging. Just ask Miette Wells.A U.S. Air Force veteran and survivor of military sexual trauma and Traumatic Brain Injury, Wells struggled to both express herself and be understood after returning from her service in Panama and Kuwait.
In an organization where you can join at any age, Amanda Washburn is younger than the average American Legion Auxiliary member. But at just 25 years old, Washburn has just as much passion and drive to serve veterans, military, and their families as any other member. Washburn knows her generation of ALA members has different
Divide Camp is a place of refuge nestled in the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon. Each year, it hosts over 50 combat-wounded veterans, with the goal of providing hope and healing through encounters with nature and outdoor recreation.As the camp grows, more resources are needed. In 2018, the need for a permanent kitchen facility emerged –
Chrystal Daulton, a program manager at the American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters, celebrated her birthday this year by working long hours at National Convention. In short, that tells you all you need to know about Daulton – her life is dedicated to supporting veterans, military, and their families. “For me, it’s all about the veterans,”
The PIER Center in Long Beach, Calif., is a place made by veterans for veterans. PIER (Partnership in Effective Recovery) focuses on providing homeless veterans with basic needs so they can begin to rebuild their lives. The center hosts daily free lunches, provides access to showers and laundry facilities, and supports veterans through counseling. No
Jane Montaney of Ephrata, Wash., found out while visiting an American Legion Family conference with her husband in 1996 that her local American Legion Auxiliary unit was missing one member in order to make goal. That’s the day she signed up to join the American Legion Auxiliary.“I sent a note across the teller to the
Many U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs medical centers across the country incorporate the creative arts as one form of rehabilitative treatment to help veterans recover from and cope with physical and emotional disabilities. When Paula Sellens became the American Legion Auxiliary Kansas District Eight president in 2016, she made expanding these programs her focus. Her
During World War II, Helen Babb Boots was one of the first recruits in the Women’s Army Corps. Her brother was needed at home on the farm, and she felt that someone from her family should serve. After her service ended in 1945, Boots developed a passion for The American Legion Family. She was a
Most American Legion Auxiliary members know that the ALA Girls State and ALA Girls Nation programs provide incredible leadership development skills for high school girls across the country. But due to a lack of branding, some ALA Girls State participants will go through the program and never know who funded their opportunity to learn and
