Our #1 Program in the Verde Valley

American Legion Legacy Scholarship

As an unfortunate consequence of Operation Iraqi Freedom and America’s war on terror, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families. In most cases, this also means their chances to attend college have greatly diminished. Children of military personnel killed on active duty are entitled to receive money toward a college education. But it’s not enough.

We are raising funds to ensure that higher education will be a reality for these families. Providing for the children our military personnel left behind is our civic duty. An education is a powerful way to show our thanks. That is why we have established the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. But we need your help.

A Critical Gap

The American Legion fights to see that our active-duty military personnel and their families are looked after. But despite our efforts, recent years have seen a significant shortfall in dollars allotted by our government. The educational benefit provided to surviving children is one of these critical gaps.

The total survivor benefit for these children is slightly more than $36,135 to be used for a college education. In today’s dollars, this benefit will pay little more than half of what a college education costs in the most affordable situation. This gap widens when considering the cost of a college education in the future. The most conservative estimate is that costs will increase by 5 percent per year, meaning that in 16 years, the most affordable college education will be $105,800. Military compensation will not keep up with these dramatic increases.

Join Our Effort

Money provided by law simply has not kept up with what a higher education costs today, let alone what college will cost in years to come. Remember, these children are the direct descendants of people who died protecting our country. Their parents made the ultimate sacrifice. The least we can do is make sure they are provided for.

We need your help to make The American Legion Legacy Scholarship a reality. Too many men and women in uniform have died in the fight to preserve our nation’s freedoms. Together, we can make sure their children have the opportunity these parents were unable to provide. We encourage you to give generously to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Help us to bridge the gap and restore the faith of these special children.

Wreaths Across America
This will be one of our ways of raising funds this year for the Legacy.  Lettie, our Finance Officer has undertaken the task of securing 4,000 + Wreaths to cover the graves at the Prescott National Cemetery next Dec. 12, 2009.  In so doing a portion of the cost of each wreath will be given back to American Legion Riders as their donation from this fund raiser to be given to the Legacy Scholarship.  The proceeds will be given under the name of all Post Riders in No. AZ that have worked to make this a reality.  Giving Honor to those that fought to keep us free and to helping those children left behind.

Our #1 Project in the Verde Valley

Cottonwood Veterans Clinic

As needs arise at this clinic, that takes care of the Verde Valley Veterans and surrounding areas.  We will give it our full support. 


Our #2nd. Project

The Verde Valley ALR adopted the Ponderosa Vets Helping Vets in Nov. 2008

Ponderosa Vets Helping Vets- Misty Isley-DeCaire Director
Payson, Arizona

Misty is an Air Force Veteran, Veterans Service Officer, driver for Vets to their appointments in Prescott, Phoenix and else where, the list goes on.  She opened up not only her heart but three homes in Payson with over 20 bedrooms for homeless and down on their luck Veterans.  She has managed to do this for many, many years, without the help of the government.  But she needs help now and for the future. This is where the Riders come in.  We hope to have a run and other ways of raising funds this coming year.


Our 3th. Project

Northern Arizona American Legion Riders Sponsored Picnic for the Prescott VA Hospital


This will be our 4th year being a part of this awesome event.  We fill shoe boxes with phone cards, stamps, personal supplies etc. that will be given to each Veteran at the hospital, dormitory and housing areas.  Post 40 Chino Valley puts on the Bar-B-Que that feeds over 400, not only the bikers which were 150 strong in 08, but the staff also.  

Boxes can be picked up at Post 25 and Post 93, filled with the items on the box lid and returned.