CONGRATULATIONS TO JERRY BRANDT on becoming the 2021-2022 Department Commander for The American Legion, Department of Florida!

We were delighted to learn that he has chosen PROJECT: VetRelief as his charity for his Commander’s Project. Any donation marked as “Commander’s Charity”  will count towards his efforts. Commander Brandt has set a goal to raise $50,000 during his one-year term. Legion Posts are asked to make a one-time donation or hold fundraising event(s) to help him reach his goal.

If you are planning an event for PROJECT: VetRelief, we can help promote it. Contact Jennifer Cooper by sending an email to jcooper@floridalegion.org with all of the details!

CONVENTION RECAP

It was great being able to see some familiar faces during our Department Convention this past month. There were plenty of activities, classes, and presentations for you to partake in. Here are just a few of our highlights:

• Collected $112,083 in Legion Family donations ($54,500 from Home at Last; $32,163 from SAL; $17,800 from Legion; and $7,620 from ALR)
• Provided program updates, accomplishments, and future plans during the Legion, Sons of the American Legion and Legion Riders’ general sessions
• Trained new VetRelief Advocates

Additionally, the Florida American Legion Auxiliary elected Wanda Brandt as their next Department President. We are excited that she chose to support PVR as her project. Like us, her passion is to keep veterans off the streets; which has been our primary focus since 2014. The majority of our funds have gone towards housing assistance; like rent, mortgage, or HUD-VASH vouchers to keep
veterans within their own homes. We are extremely thrilled that the Auxiliary will be joining our mission to continue to provide this type of service to Florida’s veterans and their families!

Lastly, we are grateful for PDC William ‘Rick’ Johnson’s support over the last two years. He increased program awareness within the Legion Family and local communities, and raised over $300,000! THANK YOU, Rick! We are looking forward to having you as a Board of Directors and helping us continue to fundraise.

THANK YOU, HOME AT LAST

It was an honor to be selected by the folks from Home at Last to receive a portion of their funds as they dissolved their organization. They donated $54,500 to PROJECT: VetRelief to support veterans through financial hardships! Members of their Board of Directors are also affliated with Legion Post 55 in Clermont. THANK YOU!!