Christmas 2021 was a great success. The American Legion Family in Lehigh Acres came together in many ways to ensure our Veterans, families, and community were served. Such as donating over $1,000 to the Shop with a Cop program. The National Executive Committeeman (NEC), American Legion, Department of Florida, Dennis Boland, stated, “Shop with a Cop is an event that focuses on underprivileged children and families within local communities, and the police officers spend time with the children and ship with them in a local store.” The Shop with a Cop program reaches out to members of the community who may otherwise hesitate to engage with police officers regularly.  

On Dec. 18, Wreaths were being laid across America to remember, honor, and teach our children the value of freedom. The American Legion Family donated wreaths to the Hodges Funeral Home Lee Memorial Park. Also, on Dec. 18, the American Legion Auxiliary had their annual Children’s Christmas party. The Auxiliary President, Nareina Hall-Schmidt, stated, “The children are the heart and future of our organization, and the feeling of unity was the theme of the entire day.” Over 40 children, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The children had the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap, visit Santa, receive a toy, and get a family picture. Next, the children went to Santa’s workshop, where they could pick out a present, have it wrapped, and present it to their parents. Hall-Schmidt stated, “The process engaged the children in giving and receiving.”  

Finally, American Legion Post 323 opened its doors to the community for a Christmas dinner with all the fixes on Christmas Day. American Legion Post 323 Family seized many opportunities to serve Veterans, their families, and the community over the Christmas season. 

American Legion Post 323 Family would live to wish you and your family a Happy New Year! American Legion Post 323 is open for New Year’s Eve; please call the post for details. Friendly reminder: 2022 dues must be paid by December 31, 2021. New key cards will be issued.