Guest blog post by Sallie Rossman, 2022-2023 National Education Committee Chair 
 
Education plus the American Legion Auxiliary always equals success. The members of the American Legion Auxiliary — in cooperation with schools and businesses — strive to ensure that students and teachers have the supplies necessary to make learning successful. Give 10 to Education is essential to our education mission outreach program. Give 10 to Education means members donate 10 items in sets of 10. 

Give 10 to Education is vital throughout the school year, especially at the start. Begin now reaching out to the school administration to determine the needs of the teachers at the various grade levels to ensure all students have the supplies they need for a successful year. The school administration will often have a teacher supply list and the list on the school's website. Teachers now use social media to post the needed supplies on the school's Facebook page and often will create wish lists on Amazon. Members are great resources for the school supply list as they are often teachers or family members of students. The American Legion Auxiliary's Suggested Donation Items and Tracking Sheet provides not provides not only possible suggestions but also a means of tracking donations and monetary value for reporting purposes.

Now it is time for the Auxiliary to create ideas on ways to collect items for the teachers and students:

• Provide public service announcements and social media blasts to alert the community that your unit collects supplies for teachers and students through your Give 10 to Education program. Let them know the program, why the event(s) are essential, and from whom the supplies will benefit.
• Place collection boxes in high-traffic stores, businesses, and post homes with a suggested list of supplies.  
• Set up and publicize using flyers and social media that your unit is sponsoring an Amazon wish list of the supplies for the school you would like to have donated, including the number of items. Set up the wish list so the supplies are delivered by Amazon directly to the school, teacher, or your unit. This method will allow the unit to track the supplies and in-kind donations for reporting purposes.
• Set up tables, booths, or a "fill the van” at community events with a supply wish list and locations of drop-off collection boxes. Also, work with the event planner to include on the event flyer that the unit will collect school supplies so that community members are aware beforehand.
• Check out the ALA National Education Facebook group for ideas. 

Remember, the donors and businesses that allowed you to place collection boxes or participate in events to collect the school supplies are vital parts of the Give 10 to Education program. Say thank you with a written note, and remember to use the Give 10 to Education certification. Post on social media a thank you to all that participated in Give 10 to Education, including photos of your collection boxes, events, and delivery of supplies to the teachers and students.  

For more information on Give 10 to Education and the American Legion Auxiliary Education program, visit the National Education Commitee or contact education@ALAforVeterans.org.