Annual Report - 2006

PO Box 1055, Indianapol is , Ind iana 46206317-630-1202 www.cwf- inc .org

"People who give are rewarded, not monetarily, but because their involvement represents an expression beyond themselves.”

-- Henry A. Rosso

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation has enjoyed a tremendous year – due directly to the combined efforts of our Legion family! Our final total reflects a 36 percent increase in contributions over last year. This would not be possible without your demonstrated caring and support.In 1954, The American Legion allowed the separate incorporation of the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. Since then, the Foundation has granted over $8.7 million dollars to nonprofit youth-oriented organizations, providing them a means to educate families and communities about the needs of special children across this nation. And most of these donations have come in five or ten dollars at a time from people just like you.Through your donations, Foundation grants produced donor cards, CDs and media templates for organ and donor registration campaigns; distributed how-to manuals to hundreds of diabetes camps to ensure safe effective programs; and created educational kits and brochures to increase awareness of the dangers of shaking babies. Families dealing with Huntington’s disease, Marfan syndrome and cancer all benefited from Foundation funding. Parents, professionals and the general public are now more aware of the challenges faced by children with autism, meningitis and birth defects.In October of 2006, the Board of Directors approved grants to 16 nonprofit organizations in the amount of $416,369 for projects to be completed in calendar year 2007.I am pleased to report during the 2006-2007 Contribution Year, donations exceeded $622,292 with over $321,227 of that amount coming to us from the Sons of The American Legion.Members of the American Legion family are the primary contributors to the success and growth of our Foundation. Your support allows the Foundation to continue funding projects that improve the quality of life for our nation’s children. Remember that every dollar given to the Foundation is used for grants that assist our young people. The American Legion generously takes care of our overhead costs. As a result, all of the money donated is entered into the Trust Fund to be used for grants. Few, if any, other foundations can make this claim.On behalf of the Board of Directors, the staff, and all the Children throughout this great country of ours…Thank You!

Dennis R. Boland, President

MissionThough created by The American Legion in 1954, the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc. is a separate 501 (c) 3 corporation.

Our foremost philanthropic priority is to provide other nonprofit organizations with a means to educate the public about the needs of children across this nation.

Areas of InterestThe Foundation accepts proposals from nonprofit organizations for projects that:

Contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations and/or their programs designed to benefit youth; and/or

Contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children through the dissemination of knowledge already possessed by well-established organizations, to the end that such information can be more adequately used by society.

Brief HistoryIn 1952, Department Commander Dr. Garland D. Murphy, Jr. of Arkansas, came to The American Legion with an offer to provide a valuable contribution if we could figure out some way his gift could be used solely for children. After much study and discussion, the idea of a foundation was adopted. Later that year, the National Executive Committee appointed a special committee to determine the feasibility of establishing such a proposed foundation.

Eventually, on October 15, 1953, the National Executive Committee approved the establishment of the Foundation and entered into a trust agreement with Dr. Murphy. Legal work was completed, and on July 9, 1954, the Foundation was duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana. At that time, Dr. Murphy assigned to the Foundation deeds to fractional mineral rights on nearly 10,000 acres of land in the oil-rich Williston Basin in Montana and North Dakota.

In 1955, it gave its first three grants totaling $22,500 to three organizations. The Delinquency Control Institute, the National Association for Retarded Children, and the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness were the first three beneficiaries.

To date, over $8.7 million has been awarded to organizations to assist the children of this country from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc.

“Dedicated to the betterment of all children”

2006 Grant Rec ip ien ts

American Humane Association of Englewood, CO was awarded $29,850 for their project entitled “Innovative Response to Families in Crisis.” This grant produced and distributed five thousand copies of “Protecting Children” and “State of the State Survey” to child protection professionals, state and federal legislators, administrators, policy makers and individuals serving children and their families nationwide. The Sons of The American Legion sponsored this grant.

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane provides national leadership in developing policies, legislation, curricula and training programs -- and taking actions -- to protect children and animals from cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation.For more information: www.americanhumane.org

Center on Media and Child Health, Children’s Hospital Boston of Boston, MA was awarded $31,819 for their project entitled “Keeping Children Healthy and Safe in the Information Age.” This grant created user-friendly web sites to inform parents and teachers about the potential risks of media, the ways they can intervene to reduce harm

to children, and how media can be used to help children grow into healthy and contributing members of our society. The Sons of The American Legion sponsored this grant.

The Center on Media and Child Health at Children’s Hospital Boston is dedicated to understanding and responding to the effects of media on the physical, mental and social health of children through research, production and education.For more information: www.cmch.tv

Chadwick Center for Children and Families of San Diego, CA was awarded $20,000 for their project entitled “Disseminating Promising Practices for Preventing Child Abuse and Family Violence.” This grant produced and distributed a CD on the workshops of the 2006 Annual Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment to 2,000 attendees. The Sons of The American Legion sponsored this grant.

The Chadwick Center, one of the largest centers of its kind, is staffed with more than 120 professionals and paraprofessionals in the field of medicine, social work, psychology, psychiatry, child development, nursing and education technology.  The staff is committed to family-centered care and a multidisciplinary approach to child abuse and family violence. The Center’s vision is to create a world where children and families are healthy and free from abuse and neglect.For more information: www.chadwickcenter.org

Child Development Resources of Norge, VA was awarded $26,850 for their project entitled “Answers to Parents’ Questions about Disabilities.” This grant improved the design and function of the CDR website; increased families’ access to knowledge and information on the site to help them care for and obtain services for their young children with disabilities; and disseminated information about the CDR website to increase parents’ access to information.

Child Development Resources is a private, nonprofit agency founded in 1966 that provides services for young children, especially those who have disabilities or developmental delays, or who are at risk because of poverty or family circumstances, and their families. Their second mission is to provide training at the local, state, regional, and national levels for early childhood and health professionals.For more information: www.cdr.org

Child Welfare League of America of Washington, DC was awarded $29,914 for their project entitled “Revising, Publishing and Disseminating the CWLA National

Standards for Health Care of Children and Youth in Foster Care.” This grant revised, published and disseminated the Standards for Health Care Services for Children in Out-of-Home Care. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsored this grant.

The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA has been known and respected as a champion for children since 1920. CWLA programs and expertise reflect the scope of member agency services. From adoption to substance abuse prevention and treatment, CWLA agencies provide a wide range of community services that strengthen and support parents and families. A nationally recognized standard-setter for child welfare services, CWLA provides direct support to agencies that serve children and families, improving the quality of the services they provide to more than nine million children every year. For more information: www.cwla.org

Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation of Tenafly, NJ was awarded $40,000 for their project entitled “Giving a Face to Pediatric Cardiomyopathy – Understanding the Disease and Living With It Patient DVD.” This grant produced and distributed a 30-minute DVD to 3,000 families nationwide through children’s hospitals and through the top transplant, heart failure and pediatric cardiomyopathy programs in the United States.

The Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF) is a national, nonprofit organization focused on pediatric cardiomyopathy, a chronic disease of the heart muscle. CCF is dedicated to accelerating the search for cures while improving diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for children affected by cardiomyopathy. Since its establishment in 2002, CCF has actively worked with federal agencies, professional societies, and corporate organizations to increase awareness, accelerate research, and advance education on this rare heart condition. For more information: www.childrenscardiomyopathy.org

Children’s National Medical Center of Washington, DC was awarded $25,000 for their project entitled “Hands on Approaches to

Helping Children Heal from Traumatic Events.” This grant produced and distributed a new publication to schools, first responders, community agencies, and parents caring for children who have been traumatized by acts of violence, terrorism or natural disaster. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsored this grant.

Children’s has provided hope to sick children and their families throughout the region for more than 130 years. What started as a small hospital in the city has grown to a nationally recognized leader in pediatric medicine with research facilities, satellite offices around the beltway, and primary care centers. Children’s physicians and nurses are among the best in the nation -- providing everything from routine well-baby exams to pediatric specialists in all medical disciplines. Children's is also a research facility, with hundreds of grants and studies performed each year. For more information: www.dcchildrens.com

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, Inc. of Avon, CT was awarded $25,720 for their project entitled “The CdLS Foundation – 25 Years of Service.” This grant produced and distributed nationwide six issues of the CdLS newsletter “Reaching Out,” to include a special Silver Anniversary issue.

The CdLS Foundation is a family support organization that exists to reach out, provide help and offer hope to everyone touched by this genetic condition. The Foundation provides a host of services that attract, educate, and unite families touched by this rare birth disorder that causes individuals to develop at a slower rate, both physically and mentally. Each day, the Foundation enlists the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers throughout the United States and the expertise of professionals from the fields of genetics, medicine, education, and psychology in a collective effort toward advancing both societal and scientific understanding of the syndrome.For more information: www.cdlsusa.org

Danbury Children First, Inc. of Danbury, CT was awarded $41,500 for their project entitled “Keys to Great Caregiving.” This grant produced and disseminated 30,050 sets of the eight “Keys” brochures to parents and caregivers throughout the United States.

The mission of Danbury Children First is to involve, empower and support parents to improve the lives of children at home, in school and in the community. Parents wanted a way to work together to benefit all Danbury

children and were willing to commit considerable time to building and maintaining the collaboration. Their collaboration is unique because it is parent-led and is also ethnically diverse. Danbury Children First continually reaches out to more and more parents of diverse backgrounds to accomplish its mission for all children. Danbury Children First also reaches out to other organizations to partner in areas of mutual interest.For more information: www.danburychildrenfirst.org

Family & Children’s Service of Minneapolis, MN was awarded $36,000 for their project entitled “Children in Change and Seeing Red: Tools for Helping Our Nation’s Children Manage Strong Emotions.” This grant provided two curriculum tools for social workers, chaplains and clergy, and nonprofit professionals who are helping children deal with stressful and upsetting changes in their lives.

Family & Children's Service has been strengthening families in the Twin Cities for more than 125 years. They bring people together to make change happen—in individual behavior, family dynamics, community conditions and public policy. Their unique combination of counseling, prevention, intervention and systems change programs focus on building strong families, vital communities and capable children. For more information: www.fcsmn.org

Foundation for Children with Cancer of St. Louis, MO was awarded $15,000 for their project entitled “The Beaded Journey.” This grant produced kits for children’s hospitals that were used in a recovery program designed for pediatric cancer patients.

An estimated 12,500 new cases of pediatric cancer will occur in the U.S. every year. One in every four of these cases will not survive the fight. For the others, there is still a chance. The Foundation for Children with Cancer is a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing support for children throughout their cancer treatment. Their goal is to allow these children to experience the amount of normality in their everyday life that they deserve.For more information: www.childrenwithcancer.org

Institute for American Values of New York, NY was awarded $24,600 for their project entitled “Hardwired to Connect CD Production and Dissemination.” This grant produced and

distributed a CD designed to encourage and inspire communities to better meet children’s needs for long-term social and emotional connections. The Sons of The American Legion sponsored this grant.

The Institute for American Values, founded in 1987, is a private, nonpartisan organization that contributes intellectually to strengthening families and civil society in the U.S. and the world. Through its Malta Forum, its Council on Family Law, and its academic and professional advisory committees, which bring together many of the nation's most distinguished scholars and analysts from across the human sciences and from across the political spectrum, the Institute seeks to bridge the gap between scholarship and policymaking, bringing new information and analyses to the attention of policy makers in government, opinion makers in the media, and decision makers in the private sector and in civil society. The Institute has become widely recognized as an important contributor to the national debate and seeks to bring fresh knowledge to bear on the challenges facing the American family and civil society.For more information: www.americanvalues.org

Mercy Medical Airlift of Virginia Beach, VA was awarded $38,000 for their project entitled “Child

Health Program – Info Dissemination Upgrade.” This grant updated four websites providing full information to the public and the pediatric medical world regarding available charitable child patient long-distance medical air transportation. The Sons of The American Legion sponsored this grant.

Mercy Medical Airlift (MMA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving people in situations of compelling human need through the provision of charitable air transportation. MMA is totally supported through charitable giving and the services of volunteer pilots and office assistants. MMA manages and coordinates large-scale charitable air medical transportation programs for individuals, often children, who need access to medical research centers and disease-specific treatment programs. MMA operates a free, long-distance, ambulatory outpatient transport service for individuals in medical and financial crisis. For more information: www.mercymedical.org

The MY HERO Project, Inc. of Laguna Beach, CA was awarded $26,222 for their project entitled “The MY HERO Student Video.” This grant produced a 30-minute DVD promoting student computer literacy that was distributed to public broadcasting stations, educational cable television programs and schools nationwide. The Sons of The American Legion sponsored this grant.

MY HERO is a not for profit educational web project that celebrates the best of humanity. Their mission is to enlighten and inspire people of all ages with an ever-growing Internet archive of hero stories from around the world. The MY HERO web site hosts thousands of stories of remarkable individuals written by children and adults alike. These stories serve to remind us that we all have the potential to overcome great obstacles and achieve our dreams by following in the footsteps of our heroes.For more information: www.myhero.com

National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) of Raleigh, NC was awarded $25,000 for their project entitled “Youth Voices…Grown-Up Choices.” This grant produced SAVE information packets, calendars and activity guides and disseminated these materials to its chapters across the United States. The Sons of The American Legion sponsored this grant.

SAVE is a national, nonprofit organization created by students for students that promotes the virtues of civility and respect by helping students of all ages learn how to care for other people. Students learn about alternatives to violence and practice what they learn through school and community service projects. As they participate in SAVE activities, students learn crime prevention and conflict management skills and the virtues of good citizenship, civility, and nonviolence. SAVE serves youth in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges, and community youth-serving organizations in 44 states and several foreign countries. Their diverse members represent all races, ages, ethnic groups, sexual orientations, and physical abilities. For more information: www.nationalsave.org

National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association of Seattle, WA was awarded $52,500 for their project entitled “National CASA Volunteer Training Curriculum Tool Kits.” This grant produced an updated edition of CASA’s Volunteer Training Tool Kit that helped equip and train more than 50,000 volunteers throughout the U.S. who help abused children find their way to safe, permanent homes.

In 1977, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. So successful was this program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the US Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA programs with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today, CASA has grown to a network of more than 50,000

volunteers that serve 225,000 abused and neglected children through 900+ local program offices nationwide. Since the inception of CASA advocacy, volunteers have helped well over 1,000,000 children find safe, permanent homes in which they can thrive. For more information: www.nationalcasa.org

The National Craniofacial Association of Chattanooga, TN was awarded $33,090 for their project entitled “Beyond the Face: What Every Teacher Needs To Know.” This grant produced newsletters, brochures and booklets designed to insure that educators and parents have the necessary tools to improve educational results of their elementary-aged children with craniofacial deformities.

The National Craniofacial Association (FACES) is a nonprofit organization serving children and adults throughout the United States with severe craniofacial deformities resulting from birth defects, injuries, or disease. FACES provides financial assistance for expenses incurred while traveling away from home to a craniofacial center for reconstructive surgery and/or evaluation; increases public awareness of the plight of those with severe craniofacial problems; and furnishes information about craniofacial centers. By sharing information and providing support, FACES helps to build a framework in which clients and their families can cope.For more information: www.faces-cranio.org

National Marfan Foundation of Port Washington, NY was awarded $25,000 for their project entitled “NMF School Nurse Initiative.” This grant developed a CD titled “Marfan Syndrome: A Comprehensive Resource for School Nurses” that was distributed to 22,000 school nurses, parents and pediatricians nationwide.

The National Marfan Foundation is dedicated to saving lives, and improving the quality of life for individuals and families affected by the Marfan syndrome and related disorders. The NMF works to achieve its mission through a comprehensive resource center that includes a toll-free number and personalized email/phone communication; an annual conference for affected people, their families and health care providers; informative publications targeted to both the public and medical community; a coast-to-coast support network; national and international scientific symposia; public awareness campaigns; medical education initiatives at hospitals and national professional meetings; and an aggressive research program that funds meritorious projects in basic, clinical and translational research. For more information: www.marfan.org

ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation of La Grange, IL was awarded $34,116 for their project entitled “ThinkFirst for Youth: Disseminating a New Injury Prevention Curriculum.” This grant was used to distribute TFFY curriculums to schools nationwide. These

curriculums are designed to increase knowledge of injury prevention, decrease risk-taking behaviors and reduce the incidents of childhood injuries in elementary and middle school children.

Each year an estimated 500,000 persons sustain brain and spinal cord injuries in the United States. The most frequent causes of these injuries are motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports and recreation, especially diving, and violence. Children and teens are at high-risk for these devastating injuries, many of which are preventable. ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation offers a research-validated multi-level educational program that has reached over 8 million young people nationally and internationally, has had major influences on public policy initiatives, and continues to expand to reach those most vulnerable to traumatic injuries.For more information: www.thinkfirst.org

Toby Tire Safety of Springfield, IL was awarded $15,000 for their project entitled “Toby Tire’s Child Safety Storybook.” This grant printed and distributed the “Toby Tire and the Magic of School Bus Safety” storybook to 25,000 children in grades K-3. The Sons of The American Legion sponsored this grant.

Toby Tire Safety is a 501(c)(3) Education Not For Profit Organization. Their mission is to take the message of school bus safety to the entire community, not just the child. Their motivation is to save lives and reduce injury by generating a clear understanding that community involvement is necessary to make school bus safety a reality. Toby Tire's teaching approach is aimed at kids of all ages. Toby is a lovable cartoon character that teaches children and adults how to avoid common dangers of everyday life. For more information: www.tobytire.org

University of Minnesota of Minneapolis, MN was awarded $16,200 for their project entitled “Teen Talk: A Survival Guide for Parents of Teenagers.” This grant provided “Teen Talk,” “School Issues,” and “Youth Choices” fact sheets to schools across the country utilizing the County Extension Service.

The University of Minnesota Extension, Family Relations, recognizes and values diverse family structures. They define parent as any adult caregiver performing the multiple roles in parenting. They know that families are influenced by culture, race, ethnicity, religion and socioeconomic level and are part of neighborhoods, religious communities and social institutions. As the first intimate setting for children, the family’s role is to present a context within which children can understand who they are and what the family expects of them. The family equips children with the skills needed to successfully function in society. The Family Relations Division offers educational resources for divorcing parents and parents of children of all ages, as well as professionals who work with those parents.For more information: www.extension.umn.edu/FamilyRelations

Recent GrantsThe American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, in its 52nd year, has awarded $416,369 to 16 nonprofit organizations. These grants, determined during the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, held at the Radisson Hotel City Centre in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, October 15, 2006, have been awarded to support worthwhile projects through the dissemination of information to the general public and specific target groups. The following is a brief summary of the grants awarded for 2007:

Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc. (BDRC) of Orlando, Florida was awarded $14,753 for their project titled “Birth Defect Prevention Initiative.” This grant will add The Healthy Baby Resource section to the BDRC website to provide comprehensive information on how to have a healthier baby. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

Child Development Resources of Norge, Virginia was awarded $23,368 for their project titled “Giving Children Their Best Chance.” This grant will produce and post on a new web page a developmental checklist for parents of children from birth to age five. The checklist will also contain referral information to guide physicians in determining available early intervention services in their state.

Children Awaiting Parents, Inc. (CAP) of Rochester, New York was awarded $9,329 for their project titled “The CAP Book – Enhanced.” This grant will produce and distribute an enhanced CAP Book by combining print and DVD media that provides photo listings, narratives and video portraits of waiting children and successful adoptive families.

Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) of Bloomington, Indiana was awarded $40,000 for their project titled “COTA Volunteer Resources: Web and Media Fundraising Tools.” This grant will produce and distribute donor registration cards, CDs and other media templates for fundraising, organ and donor registration drives. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

Diabetes Camping Association of Huntsville, Alabama was awarded $15,500 for their project titled “Diabetes Camp Survival Manual: A Guide To Help Start or Enhance Programs for Children with Diabetes.” This grant produces and distributes three hundred manuals for diabetes camps that include resources camp leaders need to ensure safe effective programs.

Huntington’s Disease Society, Inc. of America of New York, New York was awarded $18,500 for their project titled “Juvenile Huntington’s Disease Handbook.” This grant will produce and distribute 1,000 copies of the Juvenile HD Handbook: A Guide for Physicians, Neurologists and Other Medical Professionals. The Sons of The American Legion sponsors this grant.

International Institute for Alcohol Awareness of Alexandria, Virginia was awarded $33,078 for their project titled “Teens Drink, You Lose.” This grant will develop a website to educate parents about the dangers of underage drinking and social hosting issues.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of New York, New York was awarded $41,550 for their project titled “You Can’t Catch Diabetes From A Friend.” This grant will produce and distribute 4,000 copies of a ten-minute DVD that will educate children who do not have Juvenile Diabetes about the disease.

National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) of Raleigh, North Carolina was awarded $20,000 for their project titled “Youth Voices…Grown-Up Choices!” This grant will produce and distribute 7,500 Back to School Activity Guides and

SAVE Youth Violence Prevention Activity Calendars. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

National Autism Association (NAA) of Nixa, Missouri was awarded $14,850 for their project titled the “NAA Autism Outreach.” This grant will produce and distribute copies of 2006 National Autism Conference DVD sets to 110 autism organizations throughout the country, providing them with current information on autism treatment and management.

National Exchange Club Foundation of Toledo, Ohio was awarded $25,000 for their project “National Shaken Baby Syndrome Campaign.” This grant will produce educational kits, brochures and purchase space for billboards to increase awareness and educate the general public on the dangers of shaking babies. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

National Marfan Foundation, Inc. of Port Washington, New York was awarded $25,000 for their project titled “Children’s Educational Storybook.” This grant will produce and distribute an illustrated Children’s Educational Storybook, geared toward children under age 12, about dealing with a diagnosis of Marfan Syndrome.

National Meningitis Association of Marietta, Georgia was awarded $40,000 for their project titled: “Helping to Educate and Lead the Public on Meningitis Education (HELP ME).” This grant will produce and distribute DVDs and teacher’s guides to members of the National Association of School Nurses in all 50 states to increase awareness about meningococcal meningitis and prevention approaches among students and parents. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

Our Military Kids, Inc. of McLean, Virginia was awarded $46,500 for their project titled “Our Military Kids Informational Materials.” This grant will produce materials that will be used for fundraising and information dissemination to support the continued expansion of Our Military Kids as a national program. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

Toledo Children’s Hospital of Toledo, Ohio was awarded $36,941 for their project titled “Injury Prevention Booklet for Children with Special Health Care Needs.” This grant will produce and distribute 30,000 “Safety Tips for Children with Special Health Care Needs” booklet and 2,000 CDs of the booklet in PDF format.

Women of Substance Ministries, Inc. of Lindenhurst, New York was awarded $12,000 for their project titled “Development & Distribution of Background Check Handbooks.” This grant will produce and distribute a manual, teaching specific methods for identifying prior sex offenders, to include detailed instructions for researching the backgrounds of prospective employees and volunteers. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

The Lifeblood Of Our Organization: Our DonorsThe primary source of Foundation funds is contributions from our individual members. In addition, funds come to us from Posts, Units, Salons, Squadrons, Departments and National contributions from The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Eight & Forty, and the Sons of The American Legion.

HERITAGE CIRCLE GIFT CLUB

Benefactor($5,000 +)The American LegionDepartment of FloridaDepartment of MarylandDepartment of OhioDepartment of Washington

American Legion AuxiliaryDepartment of FloridaDepartment of IndianaDepartment of OhioDepartment of Texas

Sons of The American LegionDetachment of AlabamaDetachment of ArizonaDetachment of CaliforniaDetachment of ColoradoDetachment of FloridaDetachment of IndianaDetachment of KansasDetachment of MichiganDetachment of New JerseyDetachment of New YorkDetachment of OhioDetachment of OregonDetachment of PennsylvaniaDetachment of TexasDetachment of VermontDetachment of VirginiaDetachment of WashingtonDetachment of Wyoming

Patron($2,500 - $4,999)The American LegionDepartment of CaliforniaDepartment of DelawareDepartment of IllinoisDepartment of KansasDepartment of MississippiDepartment of NevadaDepartment of New MexicoDepartment of New YorkDepartment of VirginiaAmerican Legion AuxiliaryDepartment of CaliforniaDepartment of IllinoisDepartment of MichiganDepartment of New YorkDepartment of WashingtonDepartment of WisconsinEight and FortyDepartmental de CaliforniaDepartmental de MichiganDepartmental d’ OhioSons of The American LegionDetachment of GeorgiaDetachment of IllinoisDetachment of KentuckyDetachment of MarylandDetachment of Minnesota

Detachment of MissouriDetachment of NebraskaDetachment of New HampshireDetachment of South CarolinaDetachment of West Virginia

Sponsor($1,000 - $2,499)The American LegionDepartment of AlabamaDepartment of ConnecticutDepartment of IdahoDepartment of IndianaDepartment of IowaDepartment of MassachusettsDepartment of MichiganDepartment of MinnesotaDepartment of MontanaDepartment of New HampshireDepartment of New JerseyDepartment of PennsylvaniaDepartment of South CarolinaDepartment of TexasAmerican Legion AuxiliaryDepartment of AlabamaDepartment of ArizonaDepartment of GeorgiaDepartment of KansasDepartment of MinnesotaDepartment of MissouriDepartment of NebraskaDepartment of New JerseyDepartment of VermontEight and FortyDepartmental de New MexicoDepartmental de WashingtonSons of The American LegionDetachment of AlaskaDetachment of ConnecticutDetachment of DelawareDetachment of FranceDetachment of LouisianaDetachment of MassachusettsDetachment of North CarolinaDetachment of TennesseeDetachment of UtahDetachment of Wisconsin

CHILDREN FIRST GIFT CLUB

Guardian($1,000 +)The American LegionPost 15 – AlabamaPost 15 – South Carolina Post 24 – MississippiPost 89 – IndianaPost 122 – WashingtonPost 127 – Washington Post 130 – FloridaPost 130 – Florida Legion RidersPost 145 – Florida Post 170 – New Jersey Post 240 – Florida Legion Riders

Post 283 – California Post 293 – Virginia Post 303 – FloridaPost 310 – TexasPost 334 – FloridaPost 560 – MinnesotaPost 692 – IllinoisDistrict 6 – OhioLouden Valley High School – Virginia Echelon 41 – Florida American Legion AuxiliaryUnit 64 – IndianaUnit 129 – Florida Unit 135 – FloridaUnit 152 – FloridaUnit 238 - FloridaUnit 274 – FloridaUnit 309 – FloridaUnit 439 – TexasSons of The American LegionSquadron 1 – ArizonaSquadron 5 - WyomingSquadron 10 – VirginiaSquadron 12 – Ohio Squadron 17 – ColoradoSquadron 21 – ColoradoSquadron 24 – KansasSquadron 26 – Arizona Squadron 27 – ArizonaSquadron 29 – Ohio Squadron 36 – VermontSquadron 41 – ArizonaSquadron 45 – OregonSquadron 54 – WashingtonSquadron 76 – WashingtonSquadron 77 – North CarolinaSquadron 88 - TennesseeSquadron 96 – TexasSquadron 96 – WashingtonSquadron 97 – OhioSquadron 122 – WashingtonSquadron 129 – Arizona Squadron 142 – Ohio Squadron 143 – Nebraska Squadron 143 – PennsylvaniaSquadron 161 – ColoradoSquadron 164 – Ohio Squadron 178 – ColoradoSquadron 180 – VirginiaSquadron 183 – MarylandSquadron 216 – MichiganSquadron 255 – AlabamaSquadron 285 – PennsylvaniaSquadron 289 – California Squadron 291 – CaliforniaSquadron 294 - MichiganSquadron 327 – VirginiaSquadron 338 – New JerseySquadron 346 – New JerseySquadron 557 – MichiganSquadron 610 – OhioSquadron 615 – Ohio Squadron 1097 – VirginiaSquadron 1992 – ColoradoArea 2 – California

Advocate($750 - $999)The American Legion

Post 60 – MassachusettsPost 90 – New Mexico American Legion AuxiliaryUnit 33 – TexasUnit 78 – Arizona Unit 176 – IllinoisUnit 224 – IllinoisUnit 575 – Texas Sons of The American LegionSquadron 28 – DelawareSquadron 34 – South CarolinaSquadron 54 – ColoradoSquadron 218 - MissouriSquadron 321 – New JerseySquadron 323 – FloridaSquadron 389 – OhioSquadron 449 – Wisconsin

Caretaker($500 - $749)The American LegionPost 44 – New MexicoPost 54 – MichiganPost 61 – MassachusettsPost 78 – ArizonaPost 103 – Florida Post 132 – MainePost 135 – FloridaPost 145 – Maryland Post 165 – IowaPost 193 – CaliforniaPost 194 – Ohio Post 268 – FloridaPost 278 – New JerseyPost 333 – FloridaPost 615 – Ohio Suffolk County – New YorkDistrict 13 – FloridaAmerican Legion AuxiliaryUnit 53 – FloridaUnit 165 – ConnecticutUnit 219 – FloridaUnit 245 – TexasUnit 327 – VirginiaUnit 428 – MinnesotaUnit 641 – OhioSons of The American LegionSquadron 2 – ArizonaSquadron 2 – VirginiaSquadron 3 – VermontSquadron 7 – Vermont Squadron 8 – VirginiaSquadron 15 – PennsylvaniaSquadron 19 – OregonSquadron 19 – VermontSquadron 22 – TexasSquadron 23 – ColoradoSquadron 23 – OhioSquadron 27 – New HampshireSquadron 27 – VermontSquadron 29 – ArizonaSquadron 36 – WyomingSquadron 51 - OregonSquadron 54 – ArizonaSquadron 56 – OregonSquadron 58 – ArizonaSquadron 60 – West VirginiaSquadron 64 – IndianaSquadron 71 – TexasSquadron 74 – VirginiaSquadron 75 – Florida Squadron 78 – ArizonaSquadron 81 – KentuckySquadron 91 – Minnesota Squadron 96 – OhioSquadron 102 – New Jersey Squadron 104 – Oregon

Squadron 107 – ArizonaSquadron 109 – PennsylvaniaSquadron 112 – GeorgiaSquadron 113 – KentuckySquadron 116 – OregonSquadron 122 – Oregon Squadron 130 – FloridaSquadron 130 – Virginia Squadron 137 – Washington Squadron 166 – New JerseySquadron 175 – New JerseySquadron 214 – OhioSquadron 261 – IndianaSquadron 273 – FloridaSquadron 274 – PennsylvaniaSquadron 283 – FloridaSquadron 284 - VirginiaSquadron 329 – PennsylvaniaSquadron 351 – FloridaSquadron 379 – TexasSquadron 406 – Indiana Squadron 428 – MinnesotaSquadron 437 – Ohio Squadron 453 – Texas Squadron 532 – OhioSquadron 594 – PennsylvaniaSquadron 697 – IllinoisSquadron 730 – PennsylvaniaSquadron 751 – PennsylvaniaSquadron 1610 – New York Squadron 1830 – New YorkDistrict 1 – OhioDistrict 2 – OhioDistrict 4 – TexasDistrict 10 – Ohio District 11 – Ohio District 12 – Ohio District 24 – PennsylvaniaDivision 1 – Texas

FOUNDATION AMBASSADORS

($1,000 +)Violet AichholzMark ArnesonJim AshleyLouis R. Baldessari, IIPearl BehrendMarsha & Douglas BibleSteven A. BlankDennis BolandDamon J. BradtmuellerJohn P. ConwayBernard DaddsLou DimmermanJeff EvansSteven E. FischerLarry R. FordJeff & Patti FrainVail HenningsenBen HortonJohn & Kathy KailunasKathleen KennedyRichard KeplerDana R. LahrWilliam & Barbara LloydMoss “Ed” MagersGrant MartinPeggy MillerTerry MillerCarl MoonPeggy MoonMichelle MudgeJohn & Sandra NeylonBrad PackDan PaulHoward PaulBill Pinegar

Gary E. RayPat RinerSteve A. Robertson, IIMike SundyBetty WeatherlyMarie WilkinsRobert WilkinsWes WillsMax Wood

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE ($500 - $999)

Michael J. ArnerFrazier BrinleyDee CaughlinKenneth A. DemingJames GelwicksDon GundersonAnn HoffmanJim HolleyJames P. KehlerKyzer & TimmermanDr. Jerry L. LeopoldEdward MarsdenTom MarsdenJoe McPetersBrian T. MoynihanKen ParatchekHerbie PetitAlonzo PhilmoreAl & Edith PorterJeff SaulSteve SlaughterPaul R. SpyhalskiGeorge StaleyBen TalfordBill TownsJeffrey Vess

FOUNDATION PARTNERS ($250 - $499)

Edward AhernsDuane AlexanderAlbert ArrelanoDavid BlairRenee CampoRobert M. CarterPatricia S. CulverRandy EicherJohn H. GeigerLouis & Katherine GuerrieroMervin GundersonJerry KetchumLukasz MarsdenPaul & Mary MartelSusan B. MasonKenneth Peters, Jr.Preston & Isabel Scheid

CENTURY CLUB($100 - $249)

Amster GroupBilly & Conney BellDennis BlueGerald & Tybelah BlumbergBurrell Farms – Don & CarolynSally & Michael CarrBernard ChristianJake ComerFay CookCharlotte CravenRegina DavisonHoward & Mary Dunn

Robert & Dorothy DunstanMarie T. FitzgeraldHenry FletcherDavid GabrielAnna S. GearBarbara & William GenoeseDonald & Laura GoldClifton GuilloryMichael D. HelmRichard E. Holly, Sr.John HudsonPriscilla & Frank ImburgiaJohn & Nancy KnoxNancy KoppenhaverMilton LashusCamille & Barbara Lejeune

Richard W. Lennan, Sr.Robert F. MageeRobert & Josie MelgardYM & Carolyn MillerElton Morgan, Jr.Michael & Linda MossKeith MurdoughJohn Odom, Sr.Past First Husbands Assn.William & Susan PeasePegram AssociatesRenee ReeseGerald RhoadsLinda RhodesLawrence A. RiceRobert L. Roberts

William L. RogersMarcella M. SchmidtJ. Donald & Edna SizemoreCarl E. SnyderDennis StockfischAllan P. SullivanMelvin TaylorTeam Johnson SportsUSO of WisconsinSteve VandellV. Catherine VanderpolMaggi VanDykDavid & Adrienne Vincent

THANK- YOU!The Board of Directors wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to all Foundation donors for your kind support. Your charitable gifts continue to make a difference in the lives of children across America.

Remember…100 percent of your contribution goes to helping children.

The American Legion generously takes care of our overhead costs. As a result, all of the money donated is entered into the Trust Fund to be used for grants. Few, if any, other foundations can make this claim.

All contributions are tax deductible. Every gift received is acknowledged by official receipt. Accurate records are kept according to state, organization and donor. All cash contributions are acknowledged regardless of the amount.

Memorials“We are born for a higher destiny than that of earth; there is a realm where the rainbow never fades, where the stars will be spread before us like islands that slumber on the ocean, and where the beings that pass before us like shadows will stay in our presence forever.” - - Edward Bulwer-Lytton

A gift of remembrance to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is a wonderful way to recognize someone who has made a difference in your life. It is a thoughtful memorial, or a way to honor someone on special occasions, such as birthday, retirement, anniversary or holiday.

These gifts are a gratifying way for individuals, organizations, businesses and groups to honor someone while supporting the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation’s mission to provide other nonprofit organizations with a means to educate the public about the needs of children across this nation.

Planned Gifts Everyone has been blessed with special gifts and talents. It is up to us to make the most of them while we are alive – and to leave others a legacy of love after we pass into Our Lord’s Hands. By remembering the Foundation in your charitable planned gifts, you can ensure that your generosity lives on in perpetuity, both for your family, and on behalf of our nation’s young people.

Your Will After providing for the needs of your loved ones, you may choose one of several ways to benefit the Foundation. You can use your Will to make a gift of a dollar amount, a specific property or a percentage of your estate; you may also donate the unspecified remaining value after you have cared for your loved ones.

Life Insurance One of the simplest ways to make a significant gift in the future is to name the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation as beneficiary to receive all or a portion of the proceeds of a policy no longer needed for its original purpose. Another way to make a gift of life insurance is to purchase a new policy naming the Foundation as beneficiary. Should you designate the Foundation, as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary, there are important tax savings to which you would be entitled.

Your personal financial situation is unique. You should discuss your estate plans with your family and your financial and legal advisers before making any charitable gift.

2006-2007 Annual Foundation Award WinnersU.S. “UDIE” GRANT LEGACY AWARD

Presented to the Top Department nationally (based upon combined totals of all Legion Family)

Department of Ohio

GARLAND D. MURPHY JR. AWARDPresented to the most active Department (Legion, Auxiliary & SAL) in the nation.

Legion Department of Ohio $71,807.00Auxiliary Department of Florida $15,000.00SAL Detachment of Ohio $43,463.00

EXCELLENCE AWARDA national award presented to the top ten Departments within each organization

with the highest per capita (per member) contribution average.

The American Legion American Legion Auxiliary

Sons of The American Legion

Eight & Forty

Ohio Florida Wyoming New Mexico

Nevada Washington Colorado Minnesota

New Mexico Hawaii Arizona South Dakota

Delaware Texas France Wyoming

Florida Idaho Washington Michigan

Mississippi Connecticut Alabama Montana

Washington Wisconsin South Carolina Utah

Montana Alabama Virginia California

Idaho South Carolina Hawaii Texas

Maryland Ohio Oregon Ohio

MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDA national award presented to those top Department within each organization (Legion, Auxiliary, SAL, Eight & Forty)

experiencing the highest increase in per capita giving.

The American Legion American Legion Auxiliary

Sons of The American Legion

Eight & Forty

Department of Ohio

Department of Idaho

Detachment of Wyoming

Departmental deNew Mexico

Board of Directors & StaffOur Foundation, though created by The American Legion, is actually a separate nonprofit corporation. It is composed of nine members appointed by The American Legion’s National Executive Committee upon nomination by the National Commander.

Serving with the Board of Directors is a Liaison Committee: three appointed by the National President of the American Legion Auxiliary; three appointed by the National Commander of the Sons of the American Legion; and three appointed by Le Chapeau Nationale of the Eight & Forty.

Board of Directors2007 – 2008

President Dennis R. Boland FloridaVice-President Peggy Moon MinnesotaSecretary Ken Danilson IowaTreasurer Robert Turner GeorgiaMember James B. Coleman South CarolinaMember Paul A. Evenson South DakotaMember Joseph J. Frank MissouriMember Elmer Fuhrhop OhioMember Myron D. Kirby Illinois

Staff Assistant Treasurer George A. Buskirk, Jr.Executive Secretary William A. Pease

American Legion Auxiliary Liaison CommitteeChairman Katherine Morris TexasVice-Chairman Anna Gear VirginiaMember Rita Navarette New Mexico

Eight and Forty Liaison CommitteeLe Chapeau Beverly Stites IndianaLe Demi Chapeau Frances Haydel LouisianaC & Y Chairman Linda Jelinek Missouri

Sons of the American Legion Liaison CommitteeChairman Damon Bradtmueller IndianaVice-Chairman John Kailunas MichiganMember Michael Arner New Jersey

American LegionChild Welfare Foundation, Inc.

Annual Audit

Calendar Year Ending December 31, 2006