activities · 25
what they do
direct service · 25
- Assist veterans with benefits and claims VA Benefits Claims AssistanceProvides a Veteran Service Officer (Dan Cady) to assist members with navigating and filing for veteran benefits and disability claims.
- Assist veterans with benefits and claims VA Benefits Claims AssistanceProvides a Veteran Service Officer to assist members with benefits and disability claims.
- Collect and recycle pull-tabs for charity Food Drive Coordination & Virtual FundraisingCollects pull-tabs from beverage cans and recycles them, with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House in Tucson to support its operations and family housing.
- Conduct raffles and gaming eventsHosts regular raffle and gaming events including 50/50 raffles, Queen of Hearts (members-only, Thursdays 4:00–6:00 PM), and Slingo on the first Sunday of each month, contributing proceeds to the Building Fund and other causes.
- Deliver donated goods to Fisher House Military & Veteran Support PackagesCollects and delivers donations of snacks and paper goods to Fisher House to support veteran families.
- Develop and maintain mobile-friendly web application Mobile Charitable Giving PlatformsCreated a mobile-friendly web application that can be installed on users' device home screens via an add-to-home-screen prompt.
- Facilitate member communication Member Newsletter & Magazine DistributionSends out a weekly email newsletter to members detailing activities, lunch menus, entertainment events, and lounge specials. Also created a mobile-friendly web application for easy access to information.
- Host fundraising and social events Themed Fundraising Events with Auctions & RafflesOrganizes various events including Slingo, Queen of Hearts, and 50/50 raffles to raise funds, with proceeds often supporting the Building Fund. Also hosts an annual "Octoberfest" event.
- Host fundraising raffles and gamesConducts 50/50 Raffle ticket sales and hosts "Queen of Hearts" progressive raffle events and Slingo events.
- Host organizational and community meetings Veteran & First Responder Peer Support and WellnessHolds regular meetings for the American Legion (3rd Monday monthly at 1300 starting September 2025), Sons of the American Legion (3rd Wednesday at 1400), and Legion Riders (last Saturday of each month at 0900).
- Host special dinners and seasonal events Family-Oriented Community Events with Sensory-Inclusive OptionsOrganizes special dinner events such as prime rib, pork ribs, Italian dinners, and an annual Octoberfest, typically held on weekends with tickets available for purchase through the bartender.
- Host weekly themed food events Themed Community Meal EventsOrganizes recurring weekly food events including "Monday Night Burgers" from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, "Wednesday Night Tacos" (seasonal), and "Friday Night Fish Fry" outside of March–October, with volunteer teams supporting operations on alternating weeks.
- Manage membership and communications Member Newsletter & Magazine DistributionProcesses membership renewals (272 completed, 65 online) and distributes a weekly email newsletter featuring lunch menus, entertainment, and lounge specials to a membership base of approximately 1,400.
- Operate Café Legion with seasonal lunch service Themed Community Meal EventsRuns Café Legion, serving grilled and cold sandwiches, homemade soups, salads, and desserts Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM during the winter season (October to April), with a planned reopening of the menu on October 1, 2025.
- Operate lottery vending machine Tribal Casino and Lottery OperationsProvides an Arizona Lottery vending machine in the lounge offering draw and multi-state games.
- Organize social and community events Veteran & First Responder Peer Support and WellnessHosts general meetings, Legion Riders meetings, Sons of the American Legion meetings, and an annual "Octoberfest" event.
- Organize volunteer teams for food eventsCoordinates volunteer teams for recurring food events, including a "Hamburger Night Prep Team" that meets every 5th or 6th Monday and "Onion & Tomato Cutters" sessions every 3–4 weeks on Sunday or Monday mornings.
- Provide Veteran Service Officer support VA Benefits Claims AssistanceEmploys a Veteran Service Officer (Dan Cady) to assist members with benefits and disability claims.
- Provide an Arizona Lottery vending machine Tribal Casino and Lottery OperationsOffers an Arizona Lottery vending machine in the lounge with various draw and multi-state games.
- Provide food and beverage services Themed Community Meal EventsOperates a lounge/bar and offers daily food items such as deli sandwiches, pizzas, hot dogs, and snacks. Also runs Café Legion, serving homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches, and hosts regular themed food nights like "Monday Night Burgers," "Wednesday Night Tacos," and "Friday Night Fish Fry," as well as special dinner events.
- Provide food and beverage services Themed Community Meal EventsOperates a lounge/bar and offers daily food items such as deli sandwiches, pizzas, hot dogs, and snacks. Also runs Café Legion, serving homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches, and hosts regular themed food events like "Monday Night Burgers," "Wednesday Night Tacos," "Friday Night Fish Fry," and special dinner nights.
- Provide lottery services Tribal Casino and Lottery OperationsOperates an Arizona Lottery vending machine in the lounge, offering various draw games and multi-state games.
- Sell snacks and beverages in lounge Themed Community Meal EventsOffers daily snacks including popcorn, pickled eggs, chips, deli sandwiches, pizzas, and $3.00 hot dogs on Saturdays in the lounge, which operates with specified weekly hours.
- Support community organizations through donations Veteran and Community Charity FundraisingDonates funds to veteran and youth organizations, including over $120,252 total and $13,924 in FY 2019–2020 to groups such as Fisher House, Navy SEAL Foundation, and local youth programs; the Legion Riders also donated $328 to Blind Veterans in FY 2018–2019.
- Support other non-profit organizations through donations Military & Veteran Support PackagesCollects and delivers donations of snacks and paper goods to Fisher House and collects pull-tabs for recycling to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Tucson. The organization also makes monetary donations to various veterans and youth organizations in the community, including Fisher House, American Youth Soccer Organization, and the Ronald McDonald House.
strategies · 17
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Administrative governance to maintain national affiliation organizational_governanceEnsures compliance and operational continuity with the national American Legion organization by filling key administrative roles such as Adjutant, who manages secretarial and organizational duties.
- Collaborative Approach to Mission Fulfillment collaborative approachThe organization partners with other entities to support its core pillars, leveraging external resources and expertise to achieve its broader goals.
- Collaborative approach to support core pillars collaborative approachThe organization works with various partners to uphold the foundational principles and objectives of the American Legion.
- Collaborative implementation of national mission pillars collaborative approachAdvances the Four Pillars of the American Legion—Veterans Affairs, Americanism, Children and Youth, National Security—through partnerships with other organizations.
- Community engagement through shared space and entertainment community_gathering_spaceCreates a welcoming environment that fosters community connection among veterans and visitors by offering a lounge with entertainment such as sports on large-screen TVs.
- Engaging and retaining members through outreach and streamlined processes membership_engagementThe organization actively encourages non-members to join by providing membership information at public events and facilitates transfers for existing veterans from other Posts, ensuring continued engagement.
- Ensuring Volunteer Competency and Compliance volunteer_trainingThe organization ensures its volunteers are properly trained and compliant with health regulations by requiring certifications like Food Handlers Training and reimbursing associated costs.
- Ensuring volunteer competency through required training and reimbursement volunteer_trainingThe organization requires volunteers, especially those in food service roles, to complete specific training like AZ state Food Handlers Training and reimburses the cost to ensure compliance and skill development.
- Fostering Community through Social Spaces community_gathering_spaceThe organization creates a welcoming environment for community gathering and engagement by providing entertainment and social amenities in its lounge areas.
- Fostering community through shared spaces and entertainment community_gathering_spaceThe organization provides entertainment and gathering spaces, such as lounges with large-screen TVs, to engage visitors and create a sense of community.
- Leveraging volunteerism for operational capacity and community engagement volunteer_engagementThe organization relies entirely on volunteers for all operational roles and events, actively seeking help for various tasks and providing incentives like free meals to support their contributions.
- Maintaining Organizational Integrity and Compliance organizational_governanceThe organization ensures its operational good standing and adherence to the American Legion's standards by filling critical administrative roles and following established governance practices.
- Maintaining organizational integrity through administrative governance organizational_governanceThe organization ensures its operational good standing by filling critical administrative roles, such as the Adjutant, who provides essential secretarial and administrative support.
- Mobile-first digital accessibility mobile-first_accessibilityTo improve access to services and information, the organization prioritizes mobile-friendly platforms, as demonstrated by the development of a mobile web application during its website renovation.
- Proactive membership recruitment during public events membership_engagementIncreases membership by actively engaging non-members during public-facing events and providing accessible information about joining the American Legion.
- Volunteer-Driven Operations volunteer_engagementThe organization relies entirely on volunteers for all operational roles, from event staffing to administrative duties, to achieve its mission and maintain its services.
- Volunteer-powered operations with role-specific training and incentives volunteer_engagementRelies entirely on volunteers for all operational functions and supports their participation through required Food Handlers Training (with cost reimbursement) and shift-based benefits like free meals and discounted beverages.
named programs · 8
what they call their work
50/50 Raffle
Weekly fundraising raffle held during Queen of Hearts events, contributing to the Post 131 Building Fund
Café Legion Lunches
Seasonal lunch program serving sandwiches, soups, and salads Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM during winter months
Fish Fry Friday
Weekly fish fry event offering one or two pieces of fish with coleslaw and fries, held every Friday during winter season
Monday Night Burgers
Weekly community meal event open to the public offering charbroiled hamburgers, fries, and optional extras every Monday from 4-6 PM
Octoberfest Annual Event
Annual community festival requiring volunteer support for setup, cooking, serving, and cleanup
Queen of Hearts
Weekly raffle game held every Thursday from 4-6 PM with ticket sales and drawing at 6 PM sharp
Veteran Service Officer Support
Free assistance with VA benefits and disability claims provided by accredited Veteran Service Officer
Wednesday Taco Night
Weekly taco night offering tacos and taco salads, held during winter season
relationships · 21
who they work with
- 162nd Wing Family Support Partner — Received a donation of $500 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
- A.L. Post 66 Golf Tournament Partner — Received a donation of $100 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
- American Legion Network — Maintains good standing with the American Legion.
- American Legion Auxiliary Unit 131 Partner — Works together with the American Legion Auxiliary, which is described as the world's largest women's patriotic service organization.
- American Legion Riders Partner — Comprises the American Legion Riders, who have monthly rides and activities.
- American Youth Soccer Organization – Sahuarita/Green Valley Charter 837 Partner — Received a donation of $200 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
- Arizona Department of Veterans Services Partner — Refers members to the Tucson Benefits Office for assistance with veterans benefits and disability claims.
- Arizona Lottery Partner — Hosts an Arizona Lottery vending machine in its lounge.
- Be Connected Partner — Promotes Be Connected as a statewide ecosystem of support for Arizona's service members, veterans, and their families.
- Books and Nooks Partner — Received a donation of $1,500 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
- Fisher House Partner — Collects and delivers donations to support veteran families staying at Fisher House.
- Fisher House Partner — Received a donation of $8,425 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
- Navy SEAL Foundation Partner — Received a donation of $100 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
- Ronald McDonald House in Tucson Partner — Collects and recycles pull-tabs from canned beverages, with profits supporting the Ronald McDonald House in Tucson.
- Sahuarita Roughrider’s 131 Baseball Partner — Received a donation of $2,000 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
- Sons of American Legion Partner — Provides food service for the Queen of Hearts Progressive Raffle.
- Sons of the American Legion (Madera Squadron #131) Partner — Comprises the Sons of the American Legion (Madera Squadron #131).
- Transitions for Veterans Partner — Refers qualified veterans and their surviving spouses to Transitions for Veterans for help with assisted living, in-home care, or skilled nursing.
- VA Medical Center Partner — Collects new clothing and canned goods with pull tabs for homeless veterans at the VA Medical Center.
- Valley Assistance Service Partner — Received a donation of $200 in Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
- Viet Nam Veterans of America Partner — Directs individuals to donate clothing or household goods to Viet Nam Veterans of America for pick-up.