Local Civic Organizations Partner for Season of Giving

File Photo One of the ways the American Legion and VFW raise money is by hosting an annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner at the local American Legion Hall.
File Photo
One of the ways the American Legion and VFW raise money is by hosting an annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner at the local American Legion Hall.

By Mary O’KEEFE

The holidays are known as the season of giving and that is definitely found throughout the Crescenta Valley. Local churches, food banks, law enforcement and civic organizations reach out to families in need to make their holidays a little easier.

Four of those organizations that help others – the American Legion Post 288, Veterans of Foreign Wars 1614, the Crescenta Cañada Rotary Club and La Cañada AM Kiwanis Club – have combined efforts to assist local veterans, active military personnel and families.

For members of the CC Rotary Club, this holiday season is bittersweet. It is the first and last time the CC Rotary Club will be part of the American Legion/VFW giving outreach. After 76 years the club held its final meeting on Dec. 13 and, as of Dec. 31, will be dissolving. Throughout its history the local club has helped many organizations; however, the members decided to dissolve and, as a last gesture, donated funds to several organizations including American Legion/VFW holiday outreach.

 bingo

In addition there has been a change in the Kiwanis Club. The Montrose-La Crescenta Kiwanis has merged with the La Cañada AM Kiwanis. The organization joined with the veterans in collecting donations.

Every year, the local posts of the American Legion and VFW reach out to the community to find those who are presently serving in the military, then purchase gift cards to send to them wherever they are stationed. The organizations also reach out to veterans and veterans’ families who are in need. In the past they have depended on American Legion and VFW members to find those in need, but with the Kiwanis’ help they were able to help even more families.

“For years the Kiwanis Club has worked with veterans at Veterans Village in downtown Glendale,” said Lynn McGinnis, an organizer of the American Legion outreach. “This year we were able to help 36 [veteran] families and that included 47 kids between the ages of one and 18.”

Veterans Village is a 44-unit community in Glendale where housing preference is given to U.S. veterans and their families.

The American Legion, VFW, CC Rotary and Kiwanis organized a big holiday dinner party that included Santa Claus. It was catered by Star Café.

Although their main focus is on veterans and families of veterans they also go beyond to help families in the need in the CV area.

“We work with high school counselors,” McGinnis said of one of the ways families are found who might need some assistance.

Funds are raised throughout the year, giving the American Legion and VFW the ability to help so many families and veterans.

Fundraisers include the annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner and community bingo game.