By Sara Fowler


A memorial destroyed. A child 20 feet down in a well. A lost little boy. Two motorcyclists crash after a mudslide. These are just a few examples of scenarios that involved youth helping others, which culminated with them receiving an American Legion Auxiliary Youth Hero or Good Deed Award. 
 
The two awards are presented throughout the year to recognize the heroism and leadership in community service of youth high-school aged or younger. 
 
Since its inception, thousands of Youth Hero and Good Deed awards have been presented to deserving youth. 
 
Nominations for the awards are made by individual ALA members or ALA units. The nominated youth doesn’t have to be an ALA or American Legion Family member.
 
Good Deed: Arkansas memorial cleaned up 
In September 2025, three teenagers — Enzo Dallaportas, Koda Aastrup, and Riley Morphew — from Northwest Arkansas came across a memorial that had been destroyed in front of the Benton County Courthouse. The three of them cleaned it up and put the memorial back together.
 
“Seeing these young men going out of their way to clean up a mess that someone else made is heartwarming,” said ALA member Michelle Henning, who nominated the boys. 
 
She saw the news story on Facebook, and was grateful that someone was able to capture the job well done. 
 
“I believe it is important for not only children, but adults to give back in their community,” Henning said about the importance of the award. “Recognizing children for their good deeds shows them that what they do is important, and hopefully they will carry it along to adulthood.”
 
The Good Deed Award helps get the ALA name out even more in communities. 

“Locally, our community knows the Auxiliary will recognize youth who participate in doing good deeds, so I think the program reflects positively on the community,” she said. 
 
The young men and their families were invited to an ALA meeting to receive their awards. 
 
Recognition for actions can be a positive confidence builder for our nation’s youth. 
 
“I am an advocate for children and know that programs like this help children grow and feel confident about themselves,” Henning said. “My own children were raised to give back and do good deeds daily, and that has now been passed down to my grandchildren.”
 
Good Deed: Helping a lost boy 

From the nomination form: While on summer vacation, the Zaleski family went for a walk on the beach after dinner. Ryder and Brayden Zaleski saw a little boy around 4 or 5 years old walking by himself with no one in sight. The boys started walking with him and asked who he was with. He said, “My mommy is lost,” and he was looking for her and kept on walking. The boys called to their father, who came and asked him to call police with a description of him. At this point, the boy wanted to leave the beach as he told the brothers that a building looked like his. The brothers got down on their knees to be at eye level and learned his name was Jeffrey.
 
The police said Jeffrey had been reported missing and told the boys to stay where they were. It took about five minutes for the first police officer to arrive, but Jeffrey would talk only to the brothers, who stayed on their knees and told him Mommy was found and coming to get him. It took another 10 minutes for Jeffrey’s mother and two police officers to walk down the beach to where they were. The mother and police were amazed that Jeffrey walked so far down the beach, and while there were people on the beach, no one but the boys noticed him alone. The police praised them for keeping Jeffrey from going any further or off the beach, and for their actions in getting Jeffrey to talk and stay with them. 
 
“At first, I wasn’t sure what was going on, just that they were talking to a little boy,” said Ellie Zaleski, grandmother of the boys and who submitted the award. “When I realized what was happening, it brought back the memory of when Ryder and Brayden’s father — who was 3½ years old at the time — walked out of a store while we were shopping for his older brothers’ back-to-school clothes. When I saw my son, I dropped to my knees hugging him, crying along with my 8- and 9-year-old sons. This brought back all these memories, and I cried with Jeffrey’s mother.”
 
The Zaleski boys will be presented their Good Deed Awards at a county meeting in February where 11 ALA units will join together, along with county Legionnaires. 
 
Ellie Zaleski said it’s important to acknowledge our youth who are good kids. 
 
“In the news every day are stories about the ones who get into trouble and break the laws,” she said. “But I feel they are in the minority and that the deeds of many who are good, decent, caring, helpful young people deserve to be recognized, especially when what they do may seem to them as just what you should do, but their actions rise to a higher level.” 
 
She added the Auxiliary needs to do a better job in letting our communities know who we are and what we do — this award is a good example of that. 
 
“Many do not know it’s available to our youth,” Zaleski said. “That is why I will be presenting the award at a county meeting with Legionnaires present so they can bring this back to their units. I’m ashamed to say only one member in my unit had a vague idea about this award. If I wasn’t involved on the department level, I may not have known. Also, I plan to send a copy of the award along with the national letter to their teachers, which states, ‘As an opportunity to show your deed as an example for your friends, classmates, and family to do selfless acts in their communities’.” 
 
Youth Hero: Saving a neighbor boy trapped in a well 
ALA member Sofia Blake learned about 11-year-old Juliana Fischer’s story in the local newspaper. 
 
“Most adults wouldn’t be able to do what she did,” Blake said when she heard about Fischer’s bravery. 
 
Fischer’s 5-year-old neighbor fell down a well in Massachusetts. She heard screams from her neighbor who had been playing in his front yard, but a well cover gave way and he fell 20 feet down. Fischer called 911, grabbed a ladder, and worked with the boy’s mother to help him get out of the well.  
 
Blake said it’s important to have an award like this for youth “to let them know we care when they do something brave.” 
 
Fischer was also awarded the Young Hero Award from the Tyngsborough Fire Department and Massachusetts state fire marshal for her heroic act.
 
Youth Hero: Providing immediate medical assistance
From the nomination form: In September 2025 during a POW/MIA ceremony at the Poynette American Legion Post 271, Hannah Kopmeyer was serving as ceremonial bugler for Taps when an elderly Honor Guard member suddenly collapsed. In that urgent moment, Kopmeyer set aside her instrument and sprang into action. Calmly assessing the situation, she immediately called out for medical assistance, instructing her dad to call 911. Kopmeyer was constantly evaluating the situation and responding to questions and instructions from 911 and provided comforting reassurance until emergency responders arrived. Her quick thinking and composed leadership ensured the gentleman received prompt care, preventing further harm.
 
Beyond this courageous act, Kopmeyer serves her community as a certified nursing assistant at a local nursing home. She plans to attend nursing school after graduation; she is on a clear path to a lifelong career of service and healing.
 
Youth Hero: Preventing further mudslide mayhem
From the nomination form: On the evening of Sept. 30, 2025, following a volleyball game, Ryley Rasmussen, a sophomore at Payette High School in Idaho, was driving home along Highway 52 when she encountered a dangerous and unexpected mudslide that had overtaken the roadway. 
 
Rasmussen witnessed two motorcyclists lose control as they struck the mud, followed by a pickup truck that skidded off the road and struck the riders. Without hesitation, she stopped her vehicle, assessed the scene, and immediately called 911. Despite the chaos and risk of further danger, she rushed to assist one of the injured motorcyclists, staying with him and providing support until first responders arrived. Rasmussen’s quick thinking, courage, and willingness to act in a critical moment demonstrated extraordinary bravery and maturity well beyond her years. Her actions brought calm to a tragic situation and ensured that emergency responders were notified and guided quickly to those in need. 
 
 
What’s the criteria for ALA Youth Hero and Good Deed awards?
 
Youth Hero Award
Recipients receive a medal and certificate.
• Demonstrates a physical act of valor.
• Serves as an inspirational role model for the organization and the community.
• American Legion Family membership is not a requirement for consideration.
• Examples:
-  Performing the Heimlich maneuver
-  Rescue from fire or water peril
-  Performing CPR
-  Providing assistance in a medical situation
 


Good Deed Award
•  Project demonstrates leadership in community service by planning, organizing, and executing a service project.
•  Project must be initiated by the youth being nominated.
•  American Legion Family membership is not a requirement for consideration.
•  Examples:
-  Planning, organizing, and preparing a Veterans Day dinner
- Arranging for donations to a charity instead of birthday presents
- Organizing an event to fill backpacks for homeless veterans and arranging for their distribution
 
To nominate, fill out the form online at www.ALAforVeterans.org/Youth-Hero-Good-Deed-Awards. The form then goes through ALA National Headquarters and you will be notified if more information is needed, if it’s not applicable, etc.