Youth Activities: Be a Positive Influence for Our Youth

Be A Positive Influence for Our Youth

Children Learn by Example

Our Auxiliaries are – and need to continue to be – a positive influence for our nation’s youth. We need to support our youth as they navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic. Some children are back in classrooms while others are learning remotely. Some children have parents who are working more than before while others have parents who are not yet back to work. Please think of these children and ways to show support for families in your community.

Some ideas include:

• Have school supplies available for students in need. Contact teachers and schools for supply lists.
• Not every home has Wi-Fi or Internet access. If the Post Home has Wi-Fi, ask your Post if they would offer space for students to work with a parent or guardian’s supervision.
• Donate sports equipment. This is an extra expense that some families cannot afford.
• Offer to tutor. Please check with your state on any regulations or clearance required.

Youth Groups Supporting Our Veterans

Fall is fast approaching and there will be soon be leaves falling just as quickly. Many youth sports teams like to give back to their communities. Ask one to join the Auxiliary in clearing leaves from a veteran’s yard. This is a great way to spend time with youth and let them know what we do while serving the community. Your Auxiliary could then attend their sporting event and show your support of their effort to help. Remember, by doing what you love, you can inspire others!

If you have a youth group help with something, please fill out the Youth Groups Supporting Our Veterans citation request form available under “Youth Activities” at vfwauxiliary.org/resources. You could have the citation sent to your Auxiliary and invite the group to a meeting to present them with the citation. Maybe your Auxiliary wants to wait and have a celebration at the end of the year. That’s great! Invite every group that you have citations for and present each group with their citation. Invite their coaches, teachers, parents and grandparents so adults can hear about what the youth did – and they can learn more about the Auxiliary, too.

Get Excited for the Red, White & Blue!

I believe singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” is about as patriotic as you can get. This new contest is a fun way to promote patriotism and encourage youth to learn the words to our national anthem. Youth may sing in any style of their choice: reggae, rock, hip-hop, pop, country, R&B, or any other genre. I hope every Department participates in the contest and your Auxiliaries have fun with this. Please go to “Youth Activities” at vfwauxiliary.org/resources for contest information and application.

Utilize social media and go where youth are to get the word out and promote this contest:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Twitter
• Coffee shops
• Libraries
• Community Centers

Ambassador Q&A:

Q.: How do we get in the schools?

A.: With current events, schools may not allow us to do presentations of any kind.

• Ask if you can attend a school board meeting and present them with scholarship and contest information and volunteer opportunities for students.
• Ask for their help in getting information out to the students.
• They may allow you to post on the school website or set something up in the lobby during their back to school night.
• If your town is into high school football host a tailgate to get information out to students and parents.

Be creative and let your Department Chairman know what you’re doing to reach the youth in your community.

I want to thank all of you for everything you have accomplished since you started this year! I know this is going to be a trying year for everyone, but I have faith in all of us. I saw this quote and I love it!

“We are a box of crayons, each one of us unique, but when we get together, the picture is complete.”

By continuing to support, encourage and motivate our youth our picture at the end of this Program Year will be beautiful – and complete!