Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF)
Cheryl Evenson – Chairman
The Auxiliary Emergency Fund (AEF) is a national grant assistance program that provides temporary emergency help to eligible members of the American Legion Auxiliary who have suffered a significant financial setback as the result of an act of nature or other personal crisis.
The AEF was established in 1969 with a bequest from the estate of Auxiliary member Helen Colby Small of Burlington, Wisconsin. It continues today solely through generous donations from Auxiliary members.
Want to learn more about AEF? This Auxiliary Emergency Fund brochure includes helpful information about the program, such as the program objectives, guidelines on who is eligible to get funds from the Auxiliary Emergency Fund, and information and ideas on what units can do to support the fund.
Since my last article, we have witnessed fires that devastated many California communities. This means your help is needed more than ever. They cannot do this without your help. Just imagine evacuating your home with your family, pets and the clothes on your back, and watching the news to see if you still had a home to go back to.
At our last AEF zoom meeting, we were informed that $219,000 has already been awarded for disaster and financial aid, which far surpasses the total of last year.
This benefit is open to all Auxiliary members in good standing. If you are aware of a member needing assistance, please make them aware of this program. Dean Sanders, ALA Development Manager, has issued a challenge to all units to give $100 over what they gave last year. I am aware that this may be difficult for smaller units, but whatever you can give is more than they had. Bake sales, collecting change at meetings, auctions, and other types of fundraising are just some ideas to help raise funds for the Auxiliary Emergency Fund.
I had wristbands made with “Auxiliary Emergency Fund” along with the slogan “members helping members” on them. I am selling them for $3.00 each and I hope to raise $1,000. Think creatively. You can do this!
Cheryl Evenson
AEF Chairman
- Apply online here – Disaster Assistance Grant Applications and Hardship Assistance Applications are available directly from the National office at this link. The forms are fillable. Direct unit/Department approval or consultation is no longer necessary to submit an application.
More information on the AEF program can be found on the National website.