Utilize poppy funds to support ALA partnership with Honor Flight

Posted On: Tuesday, 21 May 2024

In 2021, the American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters entered a formal partnership with Honor Flight Inc. to support their mission of celebrating America’s veterans by inviting them to share in a special day of honor at our nation’s memorials that were built to commemorate their service and sacrifice. The ALA’s Memorandum of Understanding with Honor Flight allows ALA units and departments to directly donate funds generated from the distribution of our poppy. 
 
Honor Flight’s vision is to form a nation where all of America’s veterans experience the honor, gratitude, and community of support they deserve. Their mission is to celebrate U.S. veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at Washington, D.C.’s war memorials. Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization made up of independent hubs working together to accomplish the Honor Flight mission. Veterans who participate in an Honor Flight trip get the opportunity to gather with other comrades for the special occasion, remember the sacrifice of those lost, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans. 
 
There are three ways poppy funds may be used to support our veterans participating in an Honor Flight:
 
1. Money may be donated directly to Honor Flight hubs in your area or to Honor Flight Lone Eagle program. To locate a hub, visit www.honorflight.org/find-a-hub. For more information on the Lone Eagle program, go to loneeagle.honorflight.org
 
2. Poppy funds may be used for the items listed at right by donating directly to Honor Flight Inc. by visiting www.honorflight.org/donations. Once on that page, click on “Poppy Funds from The American Legion Family,” located on the bottom right.
 
3. Another way to utilize poppy funds to support Honor Flight Inc. is by purchasing items from the list below directly. You will first need to coordinate that effort with your local hub or with the Lone Eagle program. 
 
Your poppy funds may be used for any of the following items: 
 
For the veterans:
•  Food and nutrition
•  Oxygen
•  Wheelchairs
•  Medical teams on each flight
•  Wheelchair-accessible buses
 
For the guardian (companion/caregiver who attends with the veteran):
•  Airfare to accompany veteran on the trip
•  Food and nutrition
•  Hotel accommodations to remain with veteran during the trip
•  Guardian training and associated needs to execute necessary tasks — food, room rental, medical training, and identifying articles of clothing.

ALA Mission
Statement

In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.