American Legion Post 712

 

JAN 12, 2022

 

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR A NON-PROFIT AMERICAN LEGION POST #712 IN THE PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, SUBURB OF PLEASANT HILLS.

THIS POST HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS WITH AN ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN 300 VETERANS AND RELATED FAMILY MEMBERS INCLUDING, SONS (OF VETERANS), VETERAN INTEREST GROUPS SUCH AS THOSE WHO ENJOY MOTORCYCLING, SPOUSES AND FEMALE RELATIVES OF VETERANS (AKA THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILLARY) AND A SMALL GROUP OF SOCIAL MEMBERS.

THE EXPRESS PURPOSE IS TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PHYSICAL AND PERSONAL NEEDS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF MILITARY VETERANS, INCLUDING THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE LOCAL RESIDENTS OF PLEASANT HILLS, SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND VETERAN’S HOSPITALS.

THESE CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE END-OF-LIFE SERVICES AND HONOR GUARDS FOR DECEASED VETERANS AT MORTUARIES AND MILITARY CEMETERIES (CEMETARY OF THE AMERICAS). FOR ON-SITE VISITS AT THE POST FOR VETERANS AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR AN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, A SUMMER PICNIC AND A RIVER CRUISE ACTIVITY ATTENDED BY HOSPITALIZED VETERANS, EACH OF WHOM HAS A LEGION SPONSOR TO ACCOMPANY S/HE TO DEAL WITH ACCESS AND MEALS AND THE HONOR FLIGHT WHICH SUPPORTS VETERANS TRAVEL TO VISIT MEMORIALS. THE POST HAS ALSO PROVIDES RESPECTFUL FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONIES AND SUPPORT TO “OTA” (OPERATION TROOP APPRECIATION) WITH DONATIONS AND STAFF ASSISTANCE.

THE POST OWNS AND MAINTAINS A TWO-STORY BUILDING IN THE BORO OF PLEASANT HILLS FOR REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS, MANY OF WHICH ARE USED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE GROUP’S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. THE FACILITY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE POST’S OPERATIONS WHICH CANNOT BE CONTINUED IF THE BUILDING CAN NOT BE MAINTAINED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY.

DURING 2020 AND 2021, THE PANDEMIC HAS SEVERELY CURTAILED NORMAL FUNDRAISING. AS MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ON HOLD. MANY OF THE POST’S MOST ACTIVE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY IMPACTED BY COVID. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ATTEND MEETINGS AND POST FUNCTIONS AND WERE RESTRICTED FROM ASSISTING WITH FUNDRAISING AND SUPPORTING HOSPITALIZED VETERANS. EVEN MUCH-REQUESTED END-OF-LIFE AND HONOR SERVICES HAVE CEASED.

DURING THESE PAST TWO YEARS, RESERVE FUNDS TARGETED FOR THE POST’S CHARITABLE FUNCTIONS AND POST OPERATING EXPENSES HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED. ONLY A NOMINAL AMOUNT REMAINS. THIS IS INADEQUATE, AND LACK OF FUNDS HAS REACHED A CRITICAL POINT. WE EXPECT UTILITY SHUT-OFFS SHORTLY.

FUNDING IS URGENTLY NEEDED FOR THESE VALUABLE VETERAN SUPPORT AND MORALE-BUILDING SERVICES. AND FOR THE EXPENSES RELATED TO MAINTAINING, OPERATING, AND INSURING THE BUILDING AND FIXTURES AND ITS ADJACENT PROPERTY (PARKING, FLAG POSTS, AND MILITARY DISPLAYS). THE NORMAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE POST’S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING BUILDING, UTILITIES AND LAND COST IS $150,000 PER YEAR.

AS POST COMMANDER, IT IS MY DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK ORGANIZATIONS, GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS, WHO UNDERSTAND THE COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, AND SACRIFICE OUR VETERANS HAVE MADE TO ASSIST BY DONATING TO POST #712. IF, THROUGH YOUR GENEROSITY, WE CAN RAISE THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO CARRY ON OUR ACTIVITIES, WE CAN CONTINUE TO HONOR OUR VETERANS, DEMONSTRATE OUR THANKS AND GRATITUDE FOR ALL THEY HAVE GIVEN ON OUR BEHALF AND PROVIDE A LEVEL OF ENJOYMENT TO THEM.

YOUR SUPPORT IN ANY AMOUNT WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND IT IS TAX DEDUCTABLE.