How being Paid Up For Life supports our community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families
Paid Up For Life: National President Nicole Clapp with her PUFL membership card.
The reasons for making the commitment to becoming a Paid Up For Life (PUFL) member of the American Legion Auxiliary may vary for each person. But there’s one thing every PUFL has in common – their membership ensures the Auxiliary can continue to serve the mission into the future.
Pronounced “puffle” in informal ALA terms, PUFL members are important to the longevity of the organization. By having PUFL memberships, the Auxiliary can count on a certain amount of revenue, making possible the continuation of mission and related programs. Instead of projecting a one-year commitment in dues, the ALA can project long-range revenue.
A PUFL membership demonstrates a lifelong commitment to the American Legion Auxiliary and veterans, military, and their families. “As a fairly new member back in 2000, I became impressed with the American Legion Auxiliary mission. It aligned with my passion to serve our veterans, children, and community,” said Cherril Threte of Indiana. “It was worth every penny.”
For Kat Kessler of Illinois, her PUFL membership demonstrates her appreciation for veterans. “I am a PUFL and proud of it. When I decided to make the commitment to join the ALA, it was for life. Veterans gave their lives for this great country and our freedom, and the least I could do was commit to serve them for the remainder of mine.”
In addition to showing a commitment to the ALA and the mission, there are several other benefits to becoming a PUFL member:
Consider gifting a PUFL membership
Do you know someone who would be honored to receive a PUFL membership as a gift? This is how several current PUFLs received their membership, including ALA National President Nicole Clapp. “I was fortunate to receive PUFL membership as a gift from my Unit 127 in Gladbrook, Iowa, before I took it upon myself to fulfill a commitment I had planned to do. It is an honor to support and give back to the organization in which I was raised. I am very proud of my 45 years of membership, of which four years and hopefully many decades to come are as a PUFL.”
For Noelle Bonjour of South Dakota, a PUFL membership was a gift that demonstrated her family’s commitment to the ALA. “When PUFLs first became available, Grandma paid for Mom’s. Years later, my mom, in turn, paid for mine. I have no kids of my own, but I do hope to someday pass on the tradition and pay the PUFL membership for someone else.”
To make your commitment in becoming a PUFL member, go to www.ALAforVeterans.org/Joining.
Why did you become a PUFL?
“I knew I would never want to not belong, so I figured this was the easiest way to keep from ever forgetting to renew.
“To honor those who sacrificed everything for our freedom.”
“I am a PUFL, as I wanted to show a lifelong commitment to the organization.”
“My grandma made herself, my mom, and me PUFL members around the time I was department Junior president. It was a way to honor us, knowing we would continue to be active in years to come.”
This article was originally published in the May 2020 Auxiliary magazine.
In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.
