Children and Youth

Children and Youth Program

The purpose of the Children and Youth program is to work with The American Legion Family to promote programs that protect, care for, and support children and youth, especially those of our military and veterans.

Activities and Initiatives

The Children and Youth program has two awards to recognize positive and noteworthy actions of those under 18 years of age. They are the Good Deed Award and the Youth Hero Award. The Good Deed Award recognizes a youth who takes a leadership role in
planning and execution of a project to benefit an individual or their community, .The Youth Hero Award recognizes a youth who demonstrates a physical act of valor. These awards are bestowed throughout the year; nomination submissions should be ongoing.
Membership or eligibility for membership is not a criterion for consideration. More detailed information is available at https://member.legion-aux.org/youth-hero-good-deed-awards and the links on that webpage.

Another initiative of the program is The American Legion Child Well-Being Foundation (CWF) whose priority is to contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children and youth. The ALA Children and Youth Committee is duty-bound to promote and support the CWF. Detailed information can be found at www.cwf-inc.org

The Kids of Deployed are Heroes 2 (KDH2) is another initiative of the Children and Youth program. Detailed information is available at https://member.legion-
aux.org/member/committees/children-and-youth/recognize-kids-of-active-military

Incorporate the Military Child’s Table Setting Ceremony at events involving children. The ceremony script is available at https://www.legion-aux.org/cmsdesk/ALA/media/PDF/Programs/Military_Children_table_setting_ceremony.pdf

April is the Month of the Military Child. Units should consider contacting their local government officials to request a Proclamation to that effect. Promote activities throughout the month to recognize military children. Promote activities to recognize April 15th as Purple Up! Day for Military Children.

The Children and Youth program has a special project year. Check the national website for details.

Other

Download the ALA Youth Programs brochure available at https://www.legion-aux.org/CMSDesk/ALA/media/PDF/Brochures/Youth_Programs_Brochure-lp.pdf

Join the ALA Children and Youth Facebook group and check the National ALA website frequently for updates.

Excerpted from the ALA Unit Guide (2024, pp. 71-72), https://www.legion-aux.org/Member/Committees/Children-and-Youth/Get-Involved-Children-Youth and links provided above.

Updated July 2025

________________________________________________________

CHILDREN AND YOUTH COMMITTEE

 Chair:  Karen Hunter
Email Address:  [email protected]
 Vice Chair: Beverly Pollard
Advisor:  Dr. Lisa Chaplin, PDP 
________________________________________________________
CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM

Downloads:
Children & Youth One Page Quick Reference Guide

CWF Banner-Order-Form-2025-2026
Child-Well-being-Foundation-Brochure
Month of the Military Child Proclamation – Word
Month of the Military Child Proclamation- PDF




 
 
 
 

Upload Files