Legion Riders at San Francisco’s Veteran Day Parade 2012 (Photo: Ernest Gaudreau)
Mark Clark, the National Chairman of the American Legion Riders, has announced an exciting new mission for the organization. After the 2023 National Convention in Charlotte, the American Legion Riders will focus their efforts on supporting The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation, also known as A Foundation of Hope.
For the past 17 years, the American Legion Riders have dedicated themselves to a vital mission: ensuring that the children of fallen soldiers and Veterans with disabilities have the opportunity to pursue their dreams through educational opportunities with the Legacy Scholarship Fund. Mark Clark urges all American Legion Riders and supporters to continue raising funds for the Legacy Scholarship Fund this year, as the foundation still requires these resources. Every dollar raised will directly contribute to scholarships for the upcoming spring, providing children with the means to pursue their educational aspirations. The American Legion Riders’ goal is to reach a record-breaking $1.5 million in donations for the Legacy Scholarship Fund. This year’s fundraising efforts will set the bar for the foundation’s future endeavors, which will commence in 2024.
By expanding their efforts beyond the Legacy Scholarship Fund, the American Legion Riders aspire to provide assistance to military personnel, Veterans, and their families experiencing unexpected financial challenges that threaten their homes’ stability. These one-time grants cover housing, utilities, food, and other basic needs for families with minor children. The foundation also trains department and post-level accredited Veteran service officers who assist Disabled Veterans and their families with benefits claims, free of charge.
The American Legion Riders’ involvement in this new mission brings all the benefits that the American Legion offers its members into focus. By leading the way in supporting the Veterans & Children Foundation, the Riders contribute to the well-being of Veterans and their families in multiple ways. From financial aid to training service officers, their efforts aim to ensure that Veterans receive the care and support they deserve.
Donations for The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation can be made here, while donations for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship can made here.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.