FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Posts encouraged to use Buddy Checks to help veterans and families
INDIANAPOLIS (March 16, 2021) – American Legion Buddy Check programs have assisted thousands of veterans and their families – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic – since their inception in March 2019. By June 2020, more than 3,600 American Legion posts reported Buddy Check activities during the membership year, and thousands more were conducted in the months beyond.
American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford is calling on members in their local communities to continue using the Buddy Check method to reach out to veterans who may need help or just a friendly voice. The American Legion Birthday week of mid-March and Veterans Week in November are ideal times to conduct focused Buddy Check outreach, Oxford said, adding that “Buddy Checks are a way we can connect with our members, former members and veterans in communities throughout the year, as well. Many local posts and American Legion Auxiliary units are making Buddy Check calls on regular schedules to let veterans and their families know they are not alone and that The American Legion Family stands ready to assist them in any way we can.”
Toolkits with valuable resources for Buddy Check teams have been refreshed and updated for the program’s third year. Those materials are available at legion.org/buddycheck. The American Legion National Headquarters would also like to share Buddy Check success stories in the media and invites members to post their experiences with the program at legion.org/legiontown. Posts are also encouraged to alert local media outlets of their Buddy Check programs and how they help veterans for potential news coverage.
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Media contact: Jeff Stoffer, jstoffer. (317) 630-1333
