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Overview. Our local Post operates on a portion of members’ annual dues (current Post share is $10 per member) and the generosity of the general public in order to perform our mission of support to our local Veterans, our local youth and our community-at-large. The remainder of members’ dues is apportioned to State and National American Legion operations. Our share of membership dues received is approximately $1,200 a year. The remainder of our operating budget is dependent upon donations from the public and our own fund-raising efforts. Our total budget for 2023 was approximately $12,000, which severely limits our ability to provide the assistance detailed below. We are a non-profit, 501c (19) corporation, so your donation is tax deductible and has a direct, positive impact on our community.

• Helping Local Veterans In Need. Post 248 provides direct emergency financial assistance in cash to local veterans living in Fannin County for needs such as payment of utility bills, home repairs, replacement of critical appliances such as a water heater or refrigerator, vehicle fuel, vehicle repairs, medicine and funeral expenses etc. Before any cash is given, we vet the requestor to ensure they are actually a veteran (or the widow of a veteran) and are truly in financial need and not a scammer. Our cash assistance goes directly to the veteran who needs it. There is no middle man.
• Helping Veterans Obtain VA Benefits. Post 248 helps Veterans prepare and submit claims to the VA for benefits using our Post computer system and Internet service. This is important because many veterans do not own a computer or know how to use one nor do they have Internet service. Expenses involve the cost of our Internet service, printer paper and cartridges and maintenance of our computer system.
• Preventing Veteran Suicide and Building Veteran’s Sense of Community. Post 248 seeks to help prevent Veteran Suicide by reaching out to local veterans on a regular basis. We host several cookouts and other social events throughout the year where any local veteran – not just a Post member – may come eat, enjoy the planned activity, such as a guided fishing trip, and enjoy camaraderie with fellow veterans. We also host an annual Veterans Outreach Seminar where local Veterans can learn about services and benefits available to them from private, local, state and federal agencies. A free lunch is provided and the Veteran is provided with various written material containing information on how to obtain services. This involves printing/copying costs, cost of use of the facility and food.
• Student Scholarships. Post 248 provides cash scholarships to local high school students, including those who attend Fannin County High School and the Mountain Area Christian Academy. We also host a local Oratorical Competition. The winner is awarded a cash scholarship and the opportunity to compete at Area, State and National-level competitions to win even larger scholarships. We pay the tuition and room and board for students to attend the annual American Legion of Georgia Boys State Program at Valdosta State University. This is a week-long Camp where students are taught how local, county and state government works and role-play as members of a government to put their lessons into practice. Those who excel are awarded scholarships and are invited to Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. where they learn about the federal government and have the chance to earn even larger scholarships.
• Student Awards. Post 248 offers an array of awards for students Athletic, Music, Scholastic, Citizenship, Americanism achievement that including medals with neck ribbons and certificates for high school seniors. We also offer awards for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members for Military and Scholastic Excellence. This involves the cost of each medal, ribbon and certificate, taxes and shipping costs from the provider to the Post.
• Youth Group Support. Post 248 supports various local youth groups with annual cash donations including Boy Scout Troop 32, Future Farmers of America, the Shop With a Cop Program, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and others. Additionally, we support these groups in their own fund-raising efforts by offering the use of our facility for events such as a car wash. Our annual donations range from $250 -$500 typically, depending upon our budget and needs of the particular youth group.
• Community Support. Post 248 informs our local Community on Post activities by maintaining a website, offering awards for outstanding citizens, business owners and First Responders, such as Fire Fighter-Of-The-Year. We also offer instructional material such as U.S. Flag Etiquette and Children’s Books about Patriotism, our Flag and other topics. We conduct patriotic ceremonies several times a year, including on Memorial Day and Veterans Day which the general public is invited to attend. We maintain the local Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park, which includes maintaining the monuments, flag poles, flags, lights and grounds.

As you can see, your donation goes DIRECTLY to supporting local needs and Post services for our Veterans, youth and community.