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Dear Comrades:
Every year on March 1st, the Department of California kicks off the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Fund Drive. The purpose of the Rehab Fund Drive is to offset the operation of the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R) division of the Department of California. The VA&R division is made up of three offices, in Oakland, San Diego and Los Angeles. The primary purpose of the VA&R offices is to serve veterans and their dependents with no cost representation in US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA's) wide variety of benefits, including disability compensation, education, pension, survivors and home loan benefits. The VA&R division has realized millions of dollars in revenues over the years for California veterans, and their families, in 2003 over 100 million dollars.
Around the 1st of March, your Post or District will receive a Rehab Fund Drive pamphlet. Please circulate it widely to American Legion members, and other veterans in your community. The American Legion VA&R division provides this invaluable service in California to both Legionnaires and non-members alike.
A chairperson should be appointed, at both Post and District levels, and a committee formed to organize some fund raising events to help in defraying the costs of the Department of California in keeping this important service, because the Rehab division is second only to membership.
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The 2007 Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Fund Drive begins March 1st.
The American Legion was founded in 1919 with the primary mission, "to take care of veterans". We are reminded of this every time we recite The American Legion preamble and say, "to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by devotion to mutual helpfulness". During the 6th National Convention in 1924 in St. Paul, the following resolution was adopted, "no other activity of The American Legion shall be permitted to be favored over rehabilitation in such a manner as to prevent the proper financing of the work or otherwise to interfere with the task of the rehabilitation of sick and disabled veterans".
Rehabilitation programs in The American Legion have always been a viable asset, by helping veterans with claims and advocacy of veterans' rights. The Department of California sponsors the Rehab Fund Drive for the purpose of offsetting expenses incurred in the operation of the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R) division. VA&R consists of eleven full time employees staffing the three offices, leaving two vacancies. These offices are co-located with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional offices. VA&R also supports a part-time staff at almost every VA medical center and outpatient clinic in California. The mission of the staff is to make veterans lives easier by providing expert, no-cost representation in VA claims to veterans, their dependents or survivors. But operational costs for the VA&R Division continue to increase, and we've had a serious shortfall for several years.
In 2001, the Rehab Fund Drive raised $147,825 offsetting the VA&R budget of $597, 643 with a large deficit of the budget allocated. We hope to have full amount raised this year to cover the operating costs, and hire the help we need.
To give you an idea of what comprised some of division's workload in the calendar year 2001, Rehab filed 16,562 claims with the VA; represented claimants in 42 hearings before the local VA hearing boards and the traveling Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA); wrote briefs for 105 BVA appeals, reviewed 7,677 rating board decisions, and executed 16,562 other claim reviews or actions in conjunction with active VA claims. We had personal or telephone interviews with nearly 29,000 veterans, their dependents or representatives during 2001. Total correspondence received at the Rehab division's offices for review, action or distribution in 2001 exceeded 130,000. All in all, our efforts resulted in getting millions of dollars in benefits for veterans and their dependents.
The choice of a chairperson of the Post/District Rehab Fund Drive is critical to the level of success of the drive. The chairperson needs to be proactive in circulating this information, making all Legionnaires aware of the purpose and importance of this division of the Department of California. |
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The District / Post Rehab Fund Drive Chairperson's job is to:
Set up Post and District activities with all the proceeds going to the Rehab Fund Drive. - Make sure all of the members of your Post are made aware of this drive, why we ask for contributions, and how these contributions are helping to defray the cost of the business of our service offices.
Remember: ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AND REMAIN IN CALIFORNIA. - Make certain your Post promotes an active program as a Post - separate and apart from that of your membership. Encourage $10, $20 and $25 donations.
- Make sure that individual Legionnaires are aware of the incentives (incentives are below ).
- Contact all of your members on official stationary, signed by your Commander.
- Contact the persons responsible for the publication of your District and Post bulletin, and make sure that Rehab Fund Drive messages are included in the March, April and May bulletins (suggested messages are below).
As District Rehab Fund Drive Chairperson: - Make certain your District promotes an active program, as a District, separate and apart from that of your post membership.
Ask for Rehab Fund Drive contributions at all Post and District meetings. - Send all contributions to the Department of California, marked for Rehab Fund Drive.
Questions may be directed to any of the member of the Ways & Means Commission, or contact Service Officer, Terry Tracy, at (310) 473-6535. |
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SAMPLE MESSAGES FOR POST & DISTRICT BULLETINS
Here are some samples of articles, which should be published monthly in Post and/or District newsletters or bulletins throughout the Rehab Fund Drive campaign.
1ST MESSAGE (MARCH BULLETIN)
On March 1st, the Department of California kicked off its 2007 Rehab Fund Drive. The purpose of the Fund Drive is to offset the expenses incurred by the Veterans Affairs 85 Rehabilitation Division (VA&R).
Last year, the Rehabilitation Fund Drive raised $147.825. Actual operating expenses of the VA&R division were $597.643. It's easy to see that a great need exists for participation. This program is considered - 2nd only to membership - the most important fund drive in The American Legion. Its purpose is to subsidize the efforts of the VA&R division expenses in its effort to help the veterans obtain US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits in the State of California.
2ND MESSAGE (APRIL BULLETIN)
The 2007 Rehab Fund Drive is still under way. As in all fund raising campaigns, we need support from every Legionnaire. This fund drive makes possible the Department of California's Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R) program, and helps our National Organization's endeavors in supporting veterans. This is the primary principal upon which The American Legion was founded.
3RD MESSAGE (MAY BULLETIN)
Have you helped a fellow veteran lately? The Rehab Fund Drive ends May 31, 2007 and your donation is needed to help make it a success! WE NEED YOUR HELP. We need a contribution from every member to make our goal this year. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE! |
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2007 REHABILITATION FUND DRIVE INCENTIVES
The Department of California offers some INCENTIVES for the 2007 Rehab Fund Drive: FOR LEGIONNAIRES
==> A 2007 Rehab Fund Drive decal is provided free of charge. ==> Each Legionnaire making a contribution of at least $10 will receive
a pocket calendar with cover. FOR POSTS
==> Each Post contributing $100 toward the Drive as a Post contribution shall be
awarded a CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION from the Ways & Means Commission. ==> Any Post making additional donations of at least $100 will be awarded a
$100 GOLD STAR to be affixed to its CERTIFICATE. ==> Each Post donating $500 will receive its certificate award from the floor of the
upcoming Department Convention. FOR DISTRICTS
==> The District showing the highest per member donation will receive $100,
second place will receive $50, third place will receive $25. ==> Two Districts will receive a trophy presented by the Ways & Means Commission
based on the highest dollar percentage increase over the previous year. One from
Groups A & B, and one from Groups C & D in the membership category.
Two additional trophies will be awarded to the Post and District for the largest
donations. ==> Each District will receive 10% of the net income contributed by its District/Posts
until records are closed for accounting purposes on May 31, 2007.
These funds must be used in performing Rehabilitation work within the District. |
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