In its 64th year, The American Legion’s Child Welfare Foundation has awarded $766,761 to 24 nonprofits. The Sons of The American Legion had eight of twelve recommended grants awarded. These grants, determined during the annual meeting of the CWF board of directors in Indianapolis on Oct. 14, have been awarded to support youth-serving projects that seek to enhance the lives of children by addressing their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. Since the foundation made its first three grants in 1955, more than $15 million has been awarded to assist the needs of children.
The following are the CWF grants awarded for 2019:
American Printing House for the Blind of Louisville, Ky., was awarded $21,029 for its project, “Braille Tales: Sharing the Joy of Reading.” This grant will provide Braille Tales books to 2,500 visually impaired children throughout the country.
Building Better Days of Edgewater, Md., was awarded $10,000 for its project, “Power of Play.” This project provides pediatric patients with a building toy to take their mind off of treatments. The American Legion Auxiliary supports this grant.
Children’s Hospital and Medical Center Foundation of Omaha, Neb., was awarded $12,000 for its project, “Safe Sleep Education Program.” This project will fund Halo Sleep Sacks to more than 1,500 hospitals in North America.
Children’s Organ Transplant Association of Bloomington, Ind., was awarded $6,000 for its project, “The American Legion Family Friendly Fundraising Initiative.” This project will create The American Legion Family Friendly Fundraising Guide online to support COTA families and local post activities throughout the nation.
Families Helping Families NOLA of New Orleans was awarded $10,000 for its project, “Computer Coding for young people with Autism.” This project will provide success for youth with autism.
Father Flanagan’s Boys Home of Boys Town, Neb., was awarded $35,000 for its project, “Boys Town National Hotline: suicide prevention and mental health outreach.” This project will fund 18 weeks of online outreach in 2019 for the Boys Town Hotline.
Gift of Adoption of Techny, Ill., was awarded $25,000 for its project, “Adoption Support for Vulnerable 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.
Gulf Coast Council – Boy Scouts of Pensacola, Fla., was awarded $7,000 for its project, “Rebuilding the Adventure for Generations to Come – Youth Camping Program.” This project will sponsor a handicap water lift for Scouts summer camping program.
John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital of St. Petersburg, Fla., was awarded $25,200 for its project, “Pragmatic Acquisition of Language Skills, P.A.L.S. – A therapeutic Social Skills Group.” This project will provide a program for small group instruction of students on the high-end autism spectrum who have near-normal to above-average verbal and nonverbal skills.
Mercy Medical Angels (MMA) of Virginia Beach, Va., was awarded $51,000 for its project, “Angel Wings and Wheels for Children.” This project will maintain MMA’s website to more effectively promote its services for children and to promote its MayDay4KIDS annual campaign to raise funds.
National Autism Association of Portsmouth, R.I., was awarded $58,408 for its project, “Big Red Safety Box.” This project will fund Big Red Safety Boxes designed to educate, raise awareness and provide tangible tools that may assist in preventing and responding to dangerous wandering-related incidents in the autism community.
Organization for Autism Research of Arlington, Va., was awarded $14,250 for its project, “A Parent’s Guide to Research: 2019 Outreach.” This project will print and distribute the revised resource.
Our Military Kids of McLean, Va., was awarded $53,905 for its project, “Empowering a Generation of Military Kids.” This project will fun award packets, publish their quarterly newsletter and annual impact report, update the program website, and produce a benefits video.
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of Asheville, N.C., was awarded $15,500 for its project, “The Starfolio Resource Notebook for Families of Children with Brain Cancer.” This project will provide a free resource notebook designed to help families of newly diagnosed patients partner with their child’s health care team and organize medical information during treatment.
St. Vincent Hospital Foundation of Indianapolis was awarded $6,714 for its project, “Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent Healing Arts Program.” This project will fund the Healing Arts Program and services that are offered to any child hospitalized at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent.
The American Legion National Headquarters of Indianapolis was awarded $51,000 for its project “2019 American Legion National Youth Programs Scholarships.” This grant will provide academic scholarships to the following youth programs: Boys Nation, Junior Shooting Sports, Baseball and Eagle Scout of the Year.
The American Legion National Headquarters of Indianapolis was awarded $75,000 for its project “The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance Program-2019.” This grant will provide temporary financial assistance to children of veterans in need of shelter, food, utilities and clothing.
The American Legion National Headquarters of Indianapolis was awarded $138,000 for its project “The American Legion National Oratorical Contest-2019.” This grant will provide scholarships for youth competing in the 2019 American Legion Oratorical Contest.
The Common Strand Foundation of Dumfries, Va., was awarded $28,500 for its project “Children of PTSD Victims.” This grant will fund a website with kid-friendly downloadable reference material to help children cope with their situation and create a more balanced and nurturing home environment.
The Eight and Forty Foundation of Lake Dallas, Texas, was awarded $15,000 for its project “Breath Better Today for a Healthier Future.” This grant will fund 300 children (with asthma, allergies or cystic fibrosis) the cost of breathing treatment, equipment or medication.
ThinkFirst Foundation of Naperville, Ill., was awarded $13,380 for its project, “Protecting Babies from Injury.” This grant will produce five brochures, identification cards and CellSlip pouches to new parents that cover a host of injuries that could cause death or disability.
Too Small to Fail of New York was awarded $50,000 for its project, “Increasing Access to Early Language Development Resources through Diaper Banks.” This grant will add 10 additional diaper banks in especially high-need communities with a focus on agencies that serve military and veteran families.
Truth in Nature of Vila Rica, Ga., was awarded $20,000 for its project, “Truth in Nature Program Expansion.” This grant will fund the opening of new chapters of outdoor Christian ministries for boys from fatherless and single parent homes in the following states: Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Michigan.
United Through Reading of San Diego was awarded $24,875 for its project, “United Through Reading App Book Sponsorship.” This grant will fund books for 5,000 military children.
