From: Dan Wheeler, National Adjutant
I wanted to direct your attention to a new challenge as part of this year’s 100 Miles for Hope that allows members to support their departments while raising funds for the Veterans & Children Foundation. The national commander wanted to expand the Department Breakout Challenge for the entire duration of the 100 Miles for Hope challenge, which ends Sept. 5.
Here’s how it works:
• Proceeds from registrations and donations go directly to the V&CF. If you haven’t already registered, visit www.legion.org/100miles to register and learn more.
• For the breakout challenge, departments are divided up into categories by size. You can find out which category your department is in by visiting the FAQ page here.
• The department in each category that raises the most money for the V&CF via the 100 miles challenge will receive a plaque from the national commander.
• To ensure that your fundraising gets credited to your department, you must join its team. There are two ways to join or support a department or team.
1. Make a donation. To donate to your department, download this PDF to find your department. Then either click the link to go to your department donation page, or text your unique department code to 71777. After texting your department code, you will receive a link to donate to your department.
2. Fundraise. Go to Mobile Cause to sign up and then choose “Become a fundraiser” then select a team. All of the departments have already been created. To join a team after initial set-up, log back into your Mobile Cause page or type in app.mobilecause.com/vf/100MFH/YourName and select edit at the bottom of the page, then click Join a Team.
Additionally, I wanted to share some resources with you to help promote this great program.
Those include:
Promotional materials. National headquarters staff has created promotional items for participants to share. For example, there is a poster that can be displayed at your post, community center or elsewhere. Additionally, there is a small handout card with a QR code that can be given to someone to sign up or donate on the spot, or used as a leave-behind at a meeting. Visit legion.org/100miles/tools for these and other promotional items.
Share your story. The American Legion encourages all participants to share their 100 Miles for Hope journey. A few ways to do this is by sharing your progress and fundraising achievements on the Legiontown web page. And for social media posts, use the hashtag #100MilesForHope. Tag The American Legion and staff will help share your progress.
Facebook shares. An American Legion member has graciously volunteered to create personalized social media graphics that you can share on Facebook and other social media sites. All you need to do is send an email to her with a photo, and she will create one for you. Learn more at legion.org/100miles/share.
Create your own team. It is also possible for American Legion districts, posts or other entities that would like to create their own challenge against another group. For example, two posts, districts, or Riders chapters could create their own challenge. If you would like to create a new team, please email [email protected].
Thank you for your support of this great program, and our Veterans & Children Foundation.
Please direct questions to Henry Howard at [email protected]. Thank you.
