Service in VA Facilities
Minnesota is fortunate to have eight Veterans Homes and four VA Hospitals to serve our Veterans. Each of these homes has an American Legion Auxiliary Representative and we are always looking for more volunteers to work with our Veterans who live in the Veterans homes or are hospitalized. We are also looking for donations for the Gift Shop, which provides a Christmas Gift to our Veterans in the Homes and Hospitals, and the Five-Dollar Bill Shower which provides a cash gift to the Veterans in the Homes and Hospitals around Valentines Day.

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Partner organizations and service opportunities
Units are encouraged to collaborate with outside organizations such as Wreaths Across America, Honor Flight Inc., the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network, Quilts of Valor, the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, and the VA Center for Development and Community Engagement. Opportunities include sponsoring wreaths, welcoming Honor Flight participants, connecting caregivers with resources, supporting quilt presentations, donating supplies or funds, organizing local creative arts activities, and recruiting volunteers for VA events.

Serving veterans, caregivers, and families; Service beyond VA facilities
American Legion Auxiliary members can make a meaningful difference by serving veterans, caregivers, families, and survivors in their communities. Service may include supporting therapeutic arts and hobbies, assisting caregivers and homebound veterans, or promoting veteran-centered events. Members can also serve locally by providing meals, running errands, offering transportation, supporting families after a loss, promoting veteran job fairs, collecting school supplies, and reaching out to older or homebound veterans who may be isolated. Units should identify unmet community needs, promote volunteer opportunities through newsletters and local media, and report Service to Veterans hours to their unit VA&R chair.

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Support The American Legion’s Be the One mission
The Be the One mission calls on us to help end veteran suicide by increasing awareness, encouraging conversations, and connecting veterans to help. Any veteran in suicidal crisis may receive free emergency care at any VA or non-VA health care facility, even if not enrolled in the VA system. The Veterans Crisis Line is available by calling 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or visiting www.veteranscrisisline.net. Members can also support Buddy Checks through local American Legion posts and learn the VA S.A.V.E. approach: recognize signs, ask directly, validate the veteran’s experience, and expedite help.