The Ways and Means Commission would like to personally thank all our members who have supported the direct mailing campaigns, purchased 100th anniversary challenge coins, donated to the Helmets for Heroes program, ordered from Amazon Smile and donated to support the Department Veteran Service Officers program. Your donations do make a difference to help California veterans and their families.
We are in a Coronavirus crisis that has taken a toll on some of our members for their continued support of the above fundraising programs. Hopefully, as summer approaches our members will be able to start donating again.
Highlighted below are the direct mailing campaigns net income for the budget year July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020:
* Donations for the Spring Sweepstakes after the Convention: $10,794.18
* Greatest Generation: $3,458.8
* Calendar: $13,827.01
* Fall Sweepstakes: $38,684.29
* Holiday Labels: $21,029.79
* Service Thank You: $18,352.43
* Label Survey: $30,576.28
* Engage Coins $8,251.93
* Engage Cards: $6,796.80
Direct mailing campaigns net income total as of April 30, 2020 is: $151,771.54
The 100th anniversary challenge coins as of March 31, 2020 brought in: $12,730. Most of the coin revenue was from challenge coins being sold at the June 2019 convention.
Helmets for Heroes donations as March 31, 2020 reached: $42,353.67. Most of the donations were presented on the floor of the June 2019 convention. Bill Bryant, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 119 is the number one promoter of the Helmets for Heroes program for the state of California. He has ridden hundreds of miles on his motorcycle throughout Area 1. Bill’s passion to help California veterans is emphasized throughout his community and to all the business owners that have placed Helmets for Heroes in their stores.
Last year, Bill collected $5,000 in donations, put out 102 Helmets, and rode over 2,097 miles. What an amazing task. Thank You, Bill.
The Amazon Smile program earned: $294.93. August 2, 2019, Amazon donated $69.71, November 12, 2019, another check for $109.71 was received, February 20, 2020, a check for $109.71 was received, and a check is due sometime in May from Amazon.
We receive donations four times a year in the months of August, November, February, and May. Our members are being asked through their areas, districts, the California Legionnaire, and Facebook to please sign up for the Amazon Smile program. For every dollar spent, Amazon donates a 1/2 penny. It does add up.
There have been other donations as of March 31, 2020 given for our Veteran Service Officers program totaling: $24,389.23. Most of these donations were given at the June 2019 convention.
The 100th anniversary challenge coins have been lowered since January 1, 2020. There are over 600 numbered coins available for $15 each and over 600 non-numbered coins available for $10 each. They are available on the Department website or call Department Headquarters. Shipping is $5 per coin. Every cent earned from the sale of the challenge coins goes to support the Department Veteran Service Officer program.
The commission will be working together this coming year with the DEC and the Department to develop a massive awareness program. This will help rebuild and promote next year’s fundraising campaigns. Our members need to know why they are receiving direct mailing campaigns and what programs their donations are helping. Testimonies and stories will be included for our members to learn how their gifts have made a difference.
Author: Janice Somers
Janice is chair of the Ways & Means Commission. janicesomers@charter.net