In fiscal 2009, 6,307 American Legion members volunteered 916,598 hours of service to hospitalized veterans in their communities. Based on an independent-sector rate of $20.25 per volunteer hour in 2010, this is a total cost savings of $18.4 million to VA. The American Legion added 202 new volunteers in 2009 and had an increase of 7,118 hours.
In addition, The American Legion recently partnered with volunteer organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together to ensure that veterans are able to live in quality housing. The American Legion developed a Suicide Prevention and Referral Program to help connect a servicemember or veteran experiencing a mental-health crisis with
VA’s National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
The American Legion also strongly supported the Ride 2 Recovery program, a weeklong cycling event in several locations across the United States that helps injured veterans speed up their recovery and rehabilitation process.
The American Legion is committed to volunteering and serving veterans in the community. To join our volunteer ranks, or learn more about programs in your community, go to
www.legion.org/volunteers.