By Jennifer Donovan
American Legion Auxiliary members are known for helping veterans, military, and their families. It’s important for ALA units to remember all three when offering support, including those who hold down the fort — military spouses.
Sailors disembark USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after arrival at Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton, Wash. Nimitz, part of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, returned to its homeport after more than 11 months following a deployment to U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet (U.S. Navy photo by Wendy Hallmark).
Auxiliary members can support spouses and their children by providing opportunities for connection, volunteering to help with needs, and providing resources. There are several ways ALA members can support military spouses in their community.
Provide connection
• Invite families to your American Legion post home for free dinners: This is a great opportunity to get to know the families and provide a sense of community outside of their network.
• Host family events: Invite military spouses and their children to your post home for an afternoon of fun activities, such as games or crafts in a supportive environment.
• Assist with holiday parties: Connect with and support the Family Readiness Groups when they host their annual holiday parties. This support can come in the form of volunteer time and/or donations.
• Check in often: Once you’ve gotten to know a military spouse, call, text, or visit to be a listening ear and find out how you can offer assistance.
• Simple gestures can make a big impact: Send holiday, birthday, and even “thinking of you” cards throughout a deployment. Loneliness is oftentimes the hardest part of the deployment cycle. Small gestures mean so much.
Help provide self-care
• Offer a Parents Night Out: Designate an evening where parents can drop off children while your unit provides activities for the kids. This gives parents a break to take time for themselves. Be sure members have background checks on file so they can provide such services for children. This necessary step keeps members, your unit, and the organization safe when hosting an event like this. Having members take child safety training and first aid training will also ensure the safety of the children you watch and put parents’ minds at ease.
• Offer self-care events: Ask local business to provide free sessions at your post home. For example, ask a yoga studio to provide a free class or a local salon to give a free service such as chair massages.
Lend an extra hand
• Help with lawn care, grocery shopping, and more: Because of frequent relocations, spouses may not have family nearby. Helping with these chores can relieve the stress of doing it all alone.
• Be ready to support in times of crisis: Emergency trips “home” due to death or illness are always stressful when so far from family. Offer to watch their house, pick up their mail, or mow their yard. Have groceries or a gift card (DoorDash/Uber Eats) ready for them when they return.
Resources available
• Have a list of contractors on hand: It can be difficult to navigate the myriad of community listings to find a reputable mechanic, plumber, landscaper, electrician, etc. You can help by providing numbers of trustworthy companies that will alleviate unnecessary stress.
• Offer information about youth programs: Provide information about
ALA Girls State and
American Legion Boys State,
scholarships, the
Poppy Poster Contest, and the
Americanism Essay Contest. Your unit can sponsor military children in these endeavors.
• Connect spouses with other miliary support agencies in your area: For example,
Armed Services YMCA or
Blue Star Families.
We want to hear from you! How does your ALA unit support military spouses and families in your area? Email us at PR@ALAforVeterans.org.
