children & Youth
To contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of children and youth through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations and their programs.
To make wider, more effective use of the knowledge already possessed by well-established organizations to the end that such information will benefit youth and be more adequately used by society.
4th Grade Flag Education Program
The Department of Ohio is pleased to present the 2025-2026 4th Grade Flag Education Program. Enclosed you will find the required Flag Education order form. All orders need to be received by Department NO LATER THAN MARCH 15, 2026.Tests can start being distributed to each School between when your local schools start classes for the year and MARCH 15, 2026. Testing needs to be completed by Posts/school no later than APRIL 1, 2026. Following the established deadline, you must arrange for the judging of the received Post certified submissions, to determine your Post level 4th Grade Flag Education program winners -one (1) boy and one (1) girl. Upon completion of the judging effort, you must complete the Post Certification form and submit it with the applicable associated test forms, to the District Children & Youth Chairman. Post level 4th Grade Flag Education Certification forms and tests must be received by the District NO LATER THAN MAY 1, 2026.Upon receipt of a completed District 4th Grade Flag Education Winner Certification, the District will produce and distribute the necessary District Winner Certifications to the applicable District Children & Youth Chairperson, for presentation at the District Conference.
NOTICE! Post or District Certifications received after the established deadlines WILL BE CONSIDERED DISQUALIFIED!
If you have any questions or need further information please contact:
Christie White
- (740) 362-7478
- programs@ohiolegion.com
Polar Plunge
New Special Olympics Polar Plunge
"Legionnaires, please jump on this virtual call and support our 'special partners' at Special Olympics of Ohio yet again for this year's Polar Plunge fundraising efforts. PLUNGE PAGES ARE LIVE! - ENHANCE YOUR FUNDRAISING THROUGH LETR. IT'S PLUNGE TIME! Join the staff team & REGISTER FOR A PLUNGE !
Thank You!
for supporting the Special Olympics Ohio
Our Friends at Special Olympics are trying to bring the USA Games to Cleveland in 2030. In order for National Special Olympics to select which state will get selected, they require signatures. In the link below please digitally sign by filling out the ‘Pledge your support’ form, requesting the 2030 games be held in Ohio. Please also share this with your friends and family. Our Special Olympics partners and friends has asked for out help, so we want to do the best we can for them. Thank you.
Cleveland is proud to officially be the host city of the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games — the largest inclusive sporting event in our history. Pledge your support today!
Special Olympics
Active Supporter for Over 30 Years
The Department of Ohio provide support in donations to the Special Olympics State Winter Games and State Summer Games, and also hosts a breakfast for over 400 Special Olympics athletes and coaches at the Special Olympics State Winter Games.
At the Summer Games, the Department of Ohio provides the funding for “Tent Town” booths, a very popular attraction operated by the Franklin County Legionnaires with assistance from several other districts, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of The American Legion. The American Legion Department of Ohio’s operation of “Tent Town” is the largest among all corporate and organization sponsors.
To volunteer for Special Olympics of Ohio activities and events click download button or scan the QR-Code to resister.
Child Well-Being Foundation
“To contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of children and youth through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations and their programs.”
“To make wider, more effective use of the knowledge already possessed by well established organizations to the end that such information will benefit youth and be more adequately used by society.”
Download Brochure here.
Temporary Financial Assistance
Since 1919, The American Legion has remained committed to the health and welfare of our nation’s veterans and families. Born out of this desire to serve, the National Commission on Children & Youth established a form of direct aid to veterans’ children in 1925 — Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA).
This program is intended to keep children of veterans from becoming homeless. It is also used to aid in an advancement for medical costs that are critical to the life of the child. The grant may also assist for food and clothing. Those eligible to apply is anyone in custody of children that have been born to a veteran. Whether it be the veteran or a family member with custody or guardianship of veteran children, you must have legal proof with birth certificates, guardianship, and/or adoption papers.
This benefit is not intended as a long-term safety net and is meant to resolve a situation that places the veteran, guardians of veteran children, in good standing due to hardships that may occur.
One of the main reasons for denial of the grant is that all local resources have not been exhausted. Page two of the application provides a list of “Other Assistance” that must be documented as either pending, denied, approved, or not eligible. The applicant must also first receive assistance from their County Veteran Service Commission of which they reside. You can locate those resource by clicking on the button link:
TO APPLY ...
You can apply for this TFA at any of The American Legion Department of Ohio offices located at the Columbus OPC, Dayton VAMC, Cincinnati VAMC, Cleveland VARO, Cleveland VAMC, and Toledo CBOC, or Department HQ in Delaware, north of Columbus. You can also apply with the assistance of your local County Veteran Service Office. All applications will be routed to The American Legion Department HQ via mail or fax. We encourage you not to email due to the sensitive information required in the application packet.
Required Documents
You will be required to provide the following documents:
- DD-214
- Marriage Certificate (if married)
- Birth Certificates of children in custody who are under age of 18
- Current past due or shut off notices for utilities
- Eviction letter, or past due notice of rent/mortgage, with copy of lease
- Proof of income
- Personal statement of current situation with a clear resolving solution
- Copy of recent denial of assistance from the County Veteran Service Commission
April Children & Youth Month
Children & Youth is the fourth pillar of The American Legion. And for more than 80 years, the Legion has supported today’s young people by observing April as Children & Youth Month. During this month, American Legion Family members are encouraged to show their local communities our dedication to young people by supporting child health, education, family support and more.
In 1938, April was formally designated as Child Welfare Month (now called Children & Youth Month) and has continued on an annual basis.
During this special time, we urge each of you to show your community that The American Legion family is committed to Children… Our most precious natural resource!
National Family Week
A guiding principle of The American Legion’s Children & Youth programs is maintaining the integrity of the family. To demonstrate our resolute belief of the importance of strong families, The American Legion’s National Commission of Children & Youth, by mandate, advocates the passage of federal legislation that established the Thanksgiving holiday week as National Family Week for nearly 50 years. All members of The American Legion Family are encouraged to initiate and engage in local activities during National Family Week that promotes, encourages, and celebrates the center of a healthy community: the family.
Children & Youth POINTS OF CONTACT
Ken P Schutz
Children & Youth Commission Chairman
- 419-605-8595
- ksridwe@msn.com
Christie White
Children & Youth Staff Liaison
- 740-513-5199
- programs@ohiolegion.com
CHILDREN AND YOUTH COMMISSION
DISTRICT 1
Sarah J Mast
DISTRICT 2
Ken Schutz (Chair)
DISTRICT 3
John Dugan
DISTRICT 4
Sylvia M Thweatt
DISTRICT 5
Lise M Day
DISTRICT 6
Roger Friend
DISTRICT 7
Vacant
DISTRICT 8
Vacant
DISTRICT 9
Joyce Hannum
DISTRICT 10
Howard K Marotto
DISTRICT 11
George Bradley
DISTRICT 12
Ricky Garren
DISTRICT 13
Robert White
DISTRICT 14
Bryan D Holden