Help Keep our American Legion open

American Legion Post 397 in Monterey Park epitomizes service before self, this year marking its 90th Anniversary. 

As an individual chapter of the nation’s largest veterans service organization, the Post is 100% self-funded. We get no city, state, government or Legion assistance.

Instead of closing our doors last spring, a few core members and community volunteers sprang into action by continuing to serve in whatever way we could. Our doors remained open. 

Dealing with a pandemic and losing any revenue was already a difficult financial situation. It was made 

worse when we had water main break in August, a commercial refrigerator down in November and a burglary last month. All has led to a budget shortfall. Now we desperately need your help so that the 

Post can continue operating.

During the last year, the Post provided a variety of services to the community, local servicemembers, veterans and their families.

Here are some of the ways Post 397 has served the community throughout these tough times:

• we are the only Legion in the Nation to transforn into an ongoing foodbank. We are not just serving veterans, but anyone in need of food. Special attention given to the dietary needs and delivered to their homes. Our priority being our Vets, Seniors and Disabled; Over 10,000 served, many monthly.

• Hosts monthly blood drives in partnership with the Red Cross 

• At the height of the pandemic we provided space for LA faceshields to manufacture and distributed PPE to health care agencies around the country

• Host monthly outdoor pop-ups for small businesses, helping vendors stay afloat by providing a safe, socially distanced space for them to share their wares with the community

• Organizes and hosts monthly Compassionate Healing support meetings for veterans and patients in need of SB34 donated medicine for the treatment of PTSD, traumas and illnesses 

• Hosts weekly dog training, including free service dog training for Veterans

• Supports local Scout troops with community service work opportunities

• Provided thank you gifts to our first responders, police and fire

• Distributed meals to go during Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and for Christmas a 

themed toy & food distribution.   We were able to provided gifts & food to over 300 children

We urgently need your help! Any amount is appreciated. Burglars got away with more than $3,000 in supplies including lawn equipment, tools, tables, and chairs and more. Monies save used to pay the bills went towards additional security measures.

In our 90-year history of serving the community, through hard work of renting our hall, bar sales and other fundraisers we have been able to sustain our building and community service. This campaign will help the Post repurchase what was stolen and cover expenses related to ongoing operations, please 

help us continue our mission so that we can come out of these challenges stronger than ever.