The Detachment of Maryland has been in the past and will continue to be a large supporter and contributor to the Children and Youth programs of The American Legion Family. For administrative year 2010-2011, the Detachment had volunteer hours totaling 11,711 and donated $91,557 to our C&Y programs. We look forward to making 2011-2012 another banner year for our Children and Youth. If every Squadron in our Detachment gets involved we will easily reach all of our goals. Contributions are greatly appreciated and volunteers are also needed for many of these programs.

Below are listed some of our larger programs, but anytime a child is in need you can be sure the Sons of The American Legion Detachment of Maryland will be there to help.

Child Welfare Foundation (CWF): Child Welfare Foundation's foremost philanthropic priority is to provide other nonprofit organizations with a means to educate the public about the needs of children across this nation. Though created by The American Legion in 1954, the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is a separate 503(c)3 corporation. In October 2009, in it's 51st year of service the Foundation awarded $611,381 to 21 organizations. In 2009-2010, the SAL was once again the single largest contributor to CWF with over $500,000 in donations. This brings the SAL's total donations since they began supporting this program to over $4.5 Million Dollars. Each Squadron donating at least one dollar for each member during award year 2011-2012 will receive a beautiful banner/streamer. This banner/streamer is suitable for display in your meeting room or it may be attached to your organization colors.  To qualify, a Squadron must donate one dollar per member based upon its official membership total as of June 1, 2011. The Squadron has from June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012 to complete its donation to the Child Welfare Foundation. Click on the link at the bottom of this page for the official Banner Request Form. For more information about the Child Welfare Foundation, visit their website at www.legion.org/cwf

Childrens Miracle Network (CMN): The Childrens Miracle Network seeks to enhance it's efforts to provide quality healthcare to children. Childrens Miracle Network is associated with 170 hospitals that treat children with all types of afflictions; rendering treatment based on need and not just the ability to pay. One hundred percent of all contributions go directly to childrens hospitals to provide healthcare to children, whose parents can't afford to pay, help to purchase up-to-date equipment, conduct life-saving research and implement outreach programs. For more information about Childrens Miracle Network visit their website at www.cmn.org

Special Olympics:  In administrative year 2010-2011, the Detachment had volunteer hours totaling 3,473 and donated $52,688 to Special Olympics Programs throughout the State of Maryland. With your assistance, 2011-2012 can be even greater. For more information on Special Olympics of Md. visit their website at http://www.somd.org

Casey Cares Foundation: Casey Cares has become a large program of our Detachment over the last few years and Past Detachment Commander Larry "Bear" Weinzirl also sits on the Board of Directors. Casey Cares Foundation provides uplifting and heartwarming programs with a special touch in order to enhance the lives of critically ill children and their families. All critically ill children under the age of 18 are eligible to participate. At Casey Cares 10th Annual Gala held in March of 2010, the Sons of The American Legion Detachment of Maryland received the foundation's prestigious "Champion of Children" award. And our 6th annual Casey Cares bike ride held in July raised over $5,700 for this truly special charity. For more information about the Casey Cares foundation visit their website at http://www.caseycaresfoundation.org

Toys for Tots: The Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. The primary goal is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. For more information about Toys for Tots, or to find a drop off location near you visit their website at www.toysfortots.org

If you have any questions or ideas about our Children and Youth programs please contact me or that particular Committee Chairman listed below.

J.R. Hall- Detachment Children and Youth Chairman
e-mail -  dhall1967@verizon.net phone - 410-789-9578

CWF Chairman - Dave Sprucebank  dss560@aol.com 

Special Olympics Chairman - Jim Alexander jimalex831@verizon.net

CMN Chairman- Fulton "Bud" Singleton Jr. FSingletonSAL64@comcast.net

Casey Cares Chairman - Ed Steininger edsteingersr@comcast.net

Casey Cares Bike Ride Chairman - Tom Deal tom.deal@verizon.net

Toys for Tots Chairman - Kraig Dean kraigdean@yahoo.com