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American Legion Family members celebrate America’s semiquincentennial birthday by donating 250 or more items to support community service. 

For the past year, American Legion Family members have answered the call to celebrate America’s 250th birthday on July 4, by participating in 17�Թ���’s USA 250 Challenge. The challenge encourages participants to log 250 miles or hours in one or more of the categories –&�Բ�����;community service, physical fitness and mental wellness.  

With less than a month until America’s 250th birthday, Legion Family members are still logging hours and miles, especially when it comes to community service.  

American Legion Family members of John J. Morris Post 62 in Peoria, Ariz., chose community service for their USA 250 Challenge participation. The Auxiliary, Legion, Sons of 17�Թ��� and Legion Riders created caregiver survival kits that they distributed on June 3 to staff at Hospice of the Valley. The goal was 250 kits and more than 350 were created. 

“A salute to our Auxiliary for achieving the challenge and then going way above and beyond because they saw the impact of what they were doing,” said Dwight Amery, Post 62 historian, who said the caregiver project was led by Unit 62 in support of Department of Arizona President Delores Chavez, whose focus for her year is caregivers. “Hospice is such a challenging job and the smiles from the gifts really showed the appreciation of the caregivers.”

The kits were filled with life savers, Starburst, gum and chocolates.

“The caregivers were so excited to be recognized,” Amery said. “They were surprised and loved the kits. A little recognition goes a long ways with people and their attitude for their work.”

17�Թ��� Family in Middlesex County, N.J., was challenged by Arlene Baum (above) to donate 250 boxes of cereal to support military families at Joint Base-McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and celebrate America’s 250th birthday. 17�Թ���, Axuiliary and Sons surpassed that goal with 500 boxes of cereal donated.

“The food pantry shelves were almost empty so these came at the right time,” said Baum, the Middlesex County Auxiliary president. “This came at an important time when most military personnel are overseas and their families are in need of assistance. I truly am proud of my entire county, the Auxiliary, Legion and SAL, as each contributed to this very needed cause.”

Additionally, Mary Lou Lopez of Albuquerque, N.M., taught students at Alameda School flag etiquette by showing how to properly fold a flag. She gave 250 copies of a step-by-step flag folding instructions to the principal to distribute to students, teachers, school administrators and parents. 

With less than a month to go until July 4, you can still participate in 17�Թ���’s USA 250 Challenge. Help meet National Commander Dan Wiley’s goal of $150,000 raised for 17�Թ��� Veterans & Children Foundation, which the USA 250 Challenge benefits. Learn more here.