American Legion Auxiliary - Unit 6 Richland

In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security. We serve Columbia, South Carolina.

Veterans/Military Support & Advocacy -- we support the goals and work of American Legion Post 6 as they support veterans and their families. We regularly supply a volunteer team and gifts for monthly bingo with Dorn VA Hospital veterans. We also support the Christmas Shop at Dorn VA Hospital, which gives hospitalized veterans a chance to give new donated items to their own family members as gifts. We also support the national effort of the American Legion Auxiliary as the largest female lobbying effort to advocate for veterans and their families.

Youth Development -- we support three key areas for youth:
1) We proudly sponsor local high school girls to attend Palmetto Girls State, an amazing week of learning focused on responsible citizenship and love for God and Country. Students are assigned to mock cities where, divided into the Federalist Party and Nationalist Party, they are immersed in learning about the political process from dedicated volunteers, making sure the program's nonpartisan governmental, patriotic, and civic objectives are carried out, along with some fun. The program directors also stay vigilant about raising the girls' awareness of the importance of service, particularly to our veterans, the military, and their families.
2) The Auxiliary provides cash assistance and direct service, and supports legislation that affects children at the local, state, and national levels. While all children are important, the Auxiliary particularly focuses on helping the children of our veterans and service members.
3) Engaging the next generation to become members in the American Legion Auxiliary is the important purpose of the Junior Activities Program. Junior Auxiliary membership is open to girls from infancy through age 17. The Junior Activities Committee prepares girls to become active adult members of the organization by providing positive volunteer experiences that instill the ideals of the Auxiliary. These girls develop leadership skills while having fun and will hopefully become the future leaders of our organization.

Juniors are members of the Auxiliary who are organized as a committee of a unit; Juniors are not a separate organization. Junior members conduct their own meetings and perform their own special activities. Junior members plan their own community service projects, along with supporting projects sponsored by the Auxiliary and The American Legion Family.

Testimonials

We find the most rewarding volunteer work is the monthly bingo games at Dorn VA Hospital. We have a regular crowd of veterans who reside at the Warrior's Walk (the nursing home at Dorn VA facility) who look forward to our hosted Saturday game each month, as much as we do. From helping to select the "lucky" bingo cards, to assisting with hearing a call or placing a chip, to celebrating a win --this is a well-spent afternoon. Each month we recognize birthdays, too. We cherish this one-on-one time with veterans!

Another labor of love has been in being able to sponsor so many local high school girls to attend Palmetto Girls State, and then hosting a dinner for all of them to share their experience and successes afterwards at a dinner with the American Legion Family. So many girls have said that the experience at Palmetto Girls State was life-changing...
- "I never really cared about politics - but now I understand how government works and know I can make a difference"
- "I met so many people and really was pulled out of my comfort zone. I have grown so much"
- "My high school government class was good -- but this experience at Girls State made it come alive. We have a great responsibility in this republic!"