Nonprofit Category Recipient of 2009 Leadership Award
Iowa American Legion Auxiliary
Statewide
Nominated by Tammy Richardson
The American Legion Auxiliary is a great example of an organization that encourages and promotes the advancement of women and girls throughout the state of Iowa. The mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to serve veterans, their families and their communities.
The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program hosted 277 citizens in June at a week-long experience on the ISU campus. Over 64 years old in Iowa, American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a unique citizenship training program in which Auxiliary members guide youth of our nation toward an understanding, comprehension and appreciation of their roles as United States citizens.
The 24th annual Iowa American Legion Junior Auxiliary camp inspired 67 Junior Auxiliary members ages 8-18 for a week in June.
The American Legion Auxiliary also honors the achievements of a young woman annually by accepting nominations for "Girl Scout of the Year" and selecting one deserving individual. The Iowa American Legion Auxiliary awards 10 scholarships annually totaling over $3,000.00.
In addition to the above programs, the American Legion Auxiliary recognizes heroic youth who do good deed and/or have gone above and beyond with their "Youth Hero Award" and "Good Deeds Awards". Tenth-twelfth graders are encouraged to apply to attend Americanism Youth Conference, a 4-day conference at Valley Forge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The American Legion Auxiliary also promotes an Americanism essay contest.
In 2009 alone 9.675 hours and $107,000 was reportedly spent by Auxiliary units throughout Iowa on Children and Youth service by American Legion Auxiliary volunteers.
The American Legion Auxiliary is an outstanding organization full of deeply committed women volunteers that do what they do not to be recognized, but because they believe in and live their missions: to serve veterans, their families and their communities.
Letters of support received from: Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro, Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge