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American Legion Madera Post 131 Inc

Green Valley, AZ · EIN 263681304 · Form 990 · FY2020 · Small ($100K-$1M) · post131.org
revenue
$171K
expenses
$201K
net assets
$466K
employees
0
program ratio
13%
mission · from form 990

Patriotic Veterans OrganizationFocusing on service to verterans, service members, and communities.

profile · synthesized from sources

Community-based veterans organization operating a social and service hub in Green Valley, AZ. Provides meals, social events, and volunteer opportunities for veterans and the public, while supporting veteran services including benefits assistance and fundraising for veteran causes. Organized around the American Legion's four pillars, with active auxiliary and riders chapters.

named programs · 8 · from sources

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
activities · 14 groups

what they do

  • On-Site Restaurant and Bar Operations 5 activities
    • Food Service and Special Dinners
      Operates Café Legion, offering daily homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches during the winter visitor season (October-April). Additionally, hosts regular "Monday Night Burgers," "Wednesday Night Tacos," and "Friday Night Fish Fry" events, along with special dinner events like prime rib and Italian nights, and offers deli items and snacks in the lounge daily.
    • Operate Café Legion with seasonal lunch service
      Runs 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.
    • Provide food and beverage services
      Operates 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 food and beverage services
      Operates 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.
    • Sell snacks and beverages in lounge
      Offers 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.
  • VA Claims Filing & Appeals Assistance 4 activities
    • Assist veterans with benefits and claims
      Provides 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
      Provides a Veteran Service Officer to assist members with benefits and disability claims.
    • Provide Veteran Service Officer support
      Employs a Veteran Service Officer (Dan Cady) to assist members with benefits and disability claims.
    • Veteran Service Officer Assistance
      Provides a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) to assist members with benefits and disability claims, ensuring veterans receive the support they are entitled to.
  • Native American Tribal Casino Operations 4 activities
    • Lounge and Entertainment Operations
      Operates a lounge/bar with specific hours, providing a social space for members and guests. The lounge also features an Arizona Lottery vending machine and hosts Slingo events on the first Sunday of each month.
    • Operate lottery vending machine
      Provides an Arizona Lottery vending machine in the lounge offering draw and multi-state games.
    • Provide an Arizona Lottery vending machine
      Offers an Arizona Lottery vending machine in the lounge with various draw and multi-state games.
    • Provide lottery services
      Operates an Arizona Lottery vending machine in the lounge, offering various draw games and multi-state games.
  • Veteran Emergency and Financial Relief 3 activities
    • Deliver donated goods to Fisher House
      Collects and delivers donations of snacks and paper goods to Fisher House to support veteran families.
    • Support for Veteran Families
      Collects and delivers donations of snacks and paper goods to Fisher House to support veteran families.
    • Support other non-profit organizations through donations
      Collects 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.
  • Member-Focused Newsletter Publishing 3 activities
    • Facilitate member communication
      Sends 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.
    • Manage membership and communications
      Processes 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.
    • Member Communication and Engagement
      Sends out a weekly email newsletter to inform members about activities, lunch menus, entertainment events, and lounge specials. Also facilitates membership renewals, with 272 renewals completed and 65 processed online.
  • Regular Member Lodge Meetings 3 activities
    • Host organizational and community meetings
      Holds 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).
    • Organizational Meetings and Events
      Hosts general meetings for the American Legion on the 3rd Monday of each month, meetings for the Sons of the American Legion (SALs) on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, and meetings for the Legion Riders on the last Saturday of each month. The post also organizes an annual "Octoberfest" event.
    • Organize social and community events
      Hosts general meetings, Legion Riders meetings, Sons of the American Legion meetings, and an annual "Octoberfest" event.
  • Charity Galas and Auctions 2 activities
    • Host fundraising and social events
      Organizes 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 games
      Conducts 50/50 Raffle ticket sales and hosts "Queen of Hearts" progressive raffle events and Slingo events.
  • 50/50 Raffle Fundraising 1 activity
    • Community Fundraising and Donations
      Conducts various fundraising activities, including 50/50 raffles and Queen of Hearts games, and donates proceeds to a range of veterans and youth organizations in the community, totaling over $120,252 to date, with specific donations to Fisher House, Ronald McDonald House, and local youth programs.
  • School Community Digital Platforms 1 activity
    • Develop and maintain mobile-friendly web application
      Created a mobile-friendly web application that can be installed on users' device home screens via an add-to-home-screen prompt.
  • Member-Focused Social Events 1 activity
    • Host special dinners and seasonal events
      Organizes 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.
  • Themed Weekly Meal Events 1 activity
    • Host weekly themed food events
      Organizes 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.
  • Volunteer-Based Food Distribution Support 1 activity
    • Organize volunteer teams for food events
      Coordinates 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.
  • Veteran and Military Family Fundraising 1 activity
    • Support community organizations through donations
      Donates 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.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Collect and recycle pull-tabs for charity
      Collects 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 events
      Hosts 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.
financials · form 990 · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$171K
Contributions & grants$63K37%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2K1%
Other revenue$106K
expenses
Total expenses$201K
Program expenses13%
Admin / overhead87%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$26K
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$472K
Cash$408K
Investments$0
Liabilities$5K
Net assets$466K
Liquid reserves24.4 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

board members · 11
  • Bruce Distler — Commander
  • Daniel Cady — Past Commander
  • Gary Kissinger — Judge Advocate
  • James Taylor — Board Member
  • Jim Crowley — Financial Officer
  • Jim E Taylor — Chaplain
  • Keith Kackman — 1st Vice Commander
  • Kyle A Patton — Board Member
  • Larry Ruhle — Board Member
  • Mike Davis — Sergeant at Arms
  • Steve McEwen — 2nd Vice Commander
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.