In their first year focusing on boosting The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (VCF), the American Legion Riders once again showed their fundraising prowess.

During The American Legion National Convention in New Orleans, Riders from across the nation took to the stage to present the last of the donations to the 2024 Legacy Run. When everything was added up, the 1,100-mile, five-day ride had raised around $930,000.

“To begin our fourth decade of service to The American Legion and the broader veteran community, we accepted a new and exciting challenge this year to ride for the Veterans & Children Foundation,” said Mark Clark, chairman of the National American Legion Riders Advisory Committee and the Legacy Run chief road captain. “We’ve taken a great deal of pride in that, and we hope that we’ve brought great awareness to it, as well as raised lots of money for it.

“The national Legacy Run … represents the best of us to the public at large. The national Legacy Run is much more than a once-a-year event. It also serves as the catalyst for department fundraising efforts and in-state Legacy Runs throughout the year.”

The Department of Maryland’s Gold Star Legacy Run was the Legacy Run’s top donor with $155,000, while Virginia’s Legacy Run netted $114,000. Other top donors included the South Carolina Legion Riders ($70,875), the Department of California Legion Family ($60,115), Texas’ Legion Riders and Legion Family ($58,459), the Department of Missouri ($55,699) and the Department of Tennessee ($30,755). Five other departments donated more than $21,000.

“I’m proud to report to you today that the American Legion Riders program is strong, vibrant and growing, and it is helping the American Legion Family grow in the process,” Clark said. “And we’re so excited to say that this year we’ve been bringing the Be the One mission to everything that we do. And we’re proud to say that we have been part of the movement to change and save lives.”

Through VCF funding, Temporary Financial Assistance grants feed and house children of military personnel and veterans facing urgent, unexpected hardships. These grants prevent eviction, keep the power on and fulfill basic needs to hold a family together through difficult times.

The VCF also covers training and accreditation costs for American Legion claims experts who provide free representation for veterans and families applying for disability benefits, survivor assistance, GI Bill opportunities and more.