Pat Cadreau
6th District Children and Youth Chair 2021-2022
804 Crocus Hill St E | Park Rapids MN 56470
cadreaubob@unitelc.com | 218-255-0826
Children & Youth
The Children & Youth program emphasizes protecting, caring for, and supporting children and youth, particularly those of veterans’ and military families.
To recognize mand reward the positive actions of our children and youth, the American Legion Auxiliary has two special national awards bestowed to youth nominated by units: the Youth Hero Award and the Good Deed Award.
Kids of Deployed are Heroes 2 (KDH2) helping military children who may be experiencing a separation from one or both parents, whether deployed to a war zone, having a short tour or on an extended temporary duty assignment.
The American Legion Auxiliary Children & Youth program strives to support and promote the Children & Youth program of The American Legion.
New this year is the Youth Caregiver Award, created by our National President Kathy Daudistal. The Youth Caregiver Award requirements for award: Provide care, comfort, assistance, and support to loved ones, friends, or family members without being paid. A certificate is available for download from the ALA national website for units to present.
Check with local schools, youth organizations and local papers for these stories.
There are programs to whom a Unit can donate. Ronald McDonald House (monetary and pop tabs), American Legion’s Child Welfare Foundation, Legionville, and local youth groups such as Boy’s and Girl’s clubs etc.
You can volunteer as a Reading Buddy in elementary schools, hosting story time in your local library. There are 2 coloring books you can download from ALA National or order them online. They are the American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Coloring Book and the American Legion Auxiliary, Have a Safe Halloween.
April is Military Child’s month, do something special – put an article in your local newspaper, set up a display in your Post using the Military Child’s Table Setting. April 15, 2022 is Purple Up for Military Kids – remember to wear purple. Our community has Week of the Child – many businesses host some kind of activity for pre-school children at different times during the week. Whether it be a craft, visiting a bank, or watching a lineman climb ma pole. It teaches them something new and exciting.
And last but not least, a Unit can host a Halloween party, Christmas party, Valentine party, whatever it may be. Have fun and let the Children & Youth in your community know you care about them.
Pat Cadreau