Recently, I have had the opportunity to help with a wonderful jewel of a place! The
American Legion Children’s Home This home is buried right in my local community and it’s the only one in the nation of it’s kind.
The ALCH was established in 1928 by E.W Marland and the American Legion of Oklahoma, as a home for the children of servicemen who had been killed in action. Since then, through the support of the American Legion and DHS, ALCH has been able to bring in more children from across the nation who need this special kind of facility. A place they call home, where someone is willing to care for them, love them, and help them become our leaders of tomorrow!
Currently, ALCH is home to 44 children. This is the place they call home. The staff is their family. Many of them will tell you; they finally found a place where they feel safe and loved!
However, this home is in TROUBLE! A few members of the Oklahoma Legionnaires have recently voted to close this wonderful facility. They site financial issues, which is completely untrue.
Read these wonderful letters from two kids currently living at the Legion (Pgs 18, 19, 20)
Letters Originally, the date which was chosen to evict these children from their home was in December. However, as you can see—these children are still here. This is because of people like you—people who have stood up and said, “ENOUGH!”
Living in the community, I can tell you, first hand, the negative things being said about ALCH. Mostly, that the home is a black spot on our community and that the children there are troubled and troublemakers. Once again, so far from the truth…
I have personally seen a letter from Police Chief Johnson stating that these children cause no burden on his staff or facilities. They are not the hoodlems they are portrayed to be. As for troubled, yes, some of the kids need extra attention. Through no fault of their own, they grew up in an environment that was not nurturing, loving, or supportive. They need someone to guide them and protect them—they need someone to show them love and kindness. Also, these children are not ‘let loose’ to roam through town causing trouble, they are supervised and guided. Even if they were ‘free to roam’, many of these kids would travel to a friend’s house to hang out, NOT vandalize the neighborhood or terrorize the citizens. Many of these children attend our public schools and hold jobs in our communities. You walk by them daily and never notice they are from the Legion. They are good students, athletics, and community volunteers.
As to the black spot on our town—let me go on record—What kind of community are we, if we say, “Take these children away, they have been too abused, too neglected, too misguided, we do not want to look upon their problems. Send them elsewhere. We don’t care where they go or what happens to them—as long as we can no longer see them.”
How very heartbreaking! This is the message some citizens are sending, when they comment negatively about ALCH.
It is NOT the message I want to send! My message to the community and ALCH—
“How can I help?”
Which message will you choose today?
Educate yourself on their cause, and I promise if you spend just one day with some of these children—your heart will open up
Their home is safe AT THE MOMENT, but everyday could be their last—their future is uncertain. Take time NOW help these children! I have seen, first hand, the love and support that these children receive from the staff at ALCH. Adults and kids alike consider themselves a family! Please help this family stay together!!
Sunie
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| Wrapping Gifts for ALCH 2010 Christmas Party |
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These Ladies work hard AND know when to have fun!
One thing I learned--they all LOVE the kids at ALCH
Thank you to the staff at ALCH, for allowing me to help at Christmas time!
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