Legion Foundation Awards Over Half a Million Dollars in Grants

October15, 2008

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, in its 54th year, has awarded $639,875 to 18 non-profit organizations. These grants, determined during the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, held at the Sheraton Hotel City Centre in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, October 12, 2008, 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 2009:

American Humane Association of Englewood, Colorado was awarded $7,020 for their project titled “A Plan for Tyrone.” This grant will produce and distribute nationwide the first children’s book about Family Group Conferencing, a new approach that is designed to aid child care professionals and families protect children from abuse and neglect.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America of Washington, DC was awarded $14,531 for their project titled “Exercise-Induced Asthma Educational Program.” This grant will produce and distribute nationwide an information CD to school coaches and physical education teachers that will help ensure that children with asthma can exercise, stay healthy and improve their quality of life. The Eight & Forty sponsor this grant.

Caring Kids Television of Dana Point, California was awarded $45,000 for their project titled “Dewey’s Teacher’s Kits.” This grant will produce and distribute, through PBS television stations nationwide, Teacher’s Kits that work in conjunction with The Doo-it Show. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation of Wilmette, Illinois was awarded $40,000 for their project titled “Website Redesign and Integration.” This grant will produce a functional website that will enable this organization to provide knowledge and support to families, children and teens living with bipolar, depression or related conditions.

Children’s Organ Transplant Association of Bloomington, Indiana was awarded $40,000 for their project titled “Miracle Makers: COTA Volunteers in Action.” This grant, through an improved website, CDs and supporting materials, will provide opportunities for COTA patients across the country to raise awareness of the need for more organ and tissue donors. The Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America of New York, New York was awarded $30,000 for their project titled “IBD Activity Book for Children.” This grant will produce and distribute nationwide an activity book for children ages 8 -13. This book will help children learn about inflammatory bowel disease and provide strategies to help them face and overcome mental health challenges.

Huntington’s Disease Society of America of New York, New York was awarded $38,000 for their project titled “Comprehensive Resource Guide for Families of Children Affected by Juvenile Onset HD.” This grant will produce and distribute nationwide a resource directory that will contain programs and services available to children affected by JHD on the federal, state and community levels.

KidsPeace of Orefield, Pennsylvania was awarded $57,610 for their project titled “Improving Foster Care for America’s Kids: KidsPeace’s Radio Public Service Campaign.” This grant will produce a national radio public service awareness campaign to be aired in local communities throughout the United States where KidsPeace has established foster care services. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

National Autism Association of Nixa, Missouri was awarded $15,000 for their project titled “Autism Outreach.” This grant will produce and distribute outreach materials to local and state autism organizations nationwide. The recipient organizations will use the materials to enable families affected by autism to access the most current, up to date information on autism interventions and medical care. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

National CASA Association of Seattle, Washington was awarded $46,915 for their project titled “Forgotten Children Event Toolkit.” This grant will enable National CASA to produce and distribute a complete turn-key event toolkit that will help local CASA programs produce the Forgotten Children project in their communities.

National Marfan Foundation of Port Washington, New York was awarded $25,000 for their project titled “Marfan Syndrome: A Reference for Teachers.” This grant will produce a reference guide for teachers that will be distributed through their Information Resource Center, their national network of specialty medical clinics and through their extensive National Volunteer Network comprised of families affected by Marfan Syndrome.

National Organization for Youth Safety of Gainesville, Virginia was awarded $58,250 for their project titled “Makin’ Noise for Youth Traffic Safety.” This grant will produce and distribute nationwide traffic safety lesson plans, posters and calendars for youth and educators to use to address youth traffic safety.

Organization for Autism Research of Arlington, Virginia was awarded $40,980 for their project titled “An Autism Guide for Military Families.” This grant will produce a web-based resource that will inform military parents about autism and provide information about military healthcare, schools, educational resources and other supports in or near military installations. A written Guide for Military Families that targets the individual family will also be produced and distributed.

Our Military Kids of McLean, Virginia was awarded $48,800 for their project titled “Our Military Kids Informational Materials III.” This grant will produce a newsletter that will be sent to program supporters, directors, advisors, the Pentagon and members of Congress, and a five-year anniversary yearbook and keepsake package that will be distributed to Our Military Kids throughout the United States. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

The Progeria Research Foundation of Peabody, Massachusetts was awarded $15,680 for their project titled “Progeria Medical Assistance Packet.” This grant will produce a medical assistance packet that will be distributed to patients and physicians throughout the world. In addition, the information will be posted on the PRF website and sent to the National Institutes of Health for posting on their Progeria information series.

RAND Corporation of Santa Monica, California was awarded $10,089 for their project titled “Dissemination of CBITS Adaptions Manual and Implementation Guidelines.” This grant will produce and distribute through school districts nationwide implementation guides for conducting Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) and adaption manuals for youth in foster care.

Reach Out and Read of Boston, Massachusetts was awarded $57,000 for their project titled “ReachOut and Read in the Military Initiative.” This grant will produce and distribute specialized tolls and resources to support early literacy development of young children in military families throughout the world. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

ZERO TO THREE of Washington, DC was awarded $50,000 for their project titled “Coming Together Around Military Families.” This grant will produce and distribute 20,000 copies of the video Young Children on the Homefront: Family Stories, Family Strengths to military support professionals throughout the United States. The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.