This holiday season, consider giving a gift that will provide support for veterans, military, and their families all year long by becoming a monthly donor, like Paula Raney.

Raney has spent almost 30 years volunteering with the American Legion Auxiliary. After all that time spent serving, she knows it is vital to give financially to the ALA’s mission in addition to volunteering.

“It’s not difficult for me to balance between volunteering and giving,” Raney said. “I just do it because it’s the right thing to do. I enjoy doing what I can for this organization, and the giving is just second nature.”

Though Raney knows it is not always easy to donate, she thinks it is much more manageable through the ALA monthly giving program.

“I would encourage everyone to find an amount that you can afford each month, pick an ALA fund you like, and give,” Raney said. “I donate to the ALA Foundation because it can help veterans through grants for different departments and units in need. It is building on our future.”

Why give monthly?

• Giving monthly makes it easier to budget – no more one-time gifts that can make too big of a dent in your bank account
• One and done – sign up once and you never have to worry about whether you donated, it will happen automatically
• It’s customizable – you can choose which fund you give to and how much you give each month
• Most importantly, giving monthly provides consistent support to veterans, military, and their families that is so needed

Raney has witnessed how gifts given to the Auxiliary impact veterans in our local communities.

During her time as ALA Department of Texas president, Raney had an opportunity to travel the state and meet many heroes face to face.

“I got to visit [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs] hospitals; I got to shake hands with veterans and say, ‘Thank you for your service,’” Raney said. “I was really able to see all the work we do in action.”

In hard times, Raney knows firsthand that the ALA truly makes an impact. Her daughter was given a grant through the Auxiliary Emergency Fund, which helped her through a difficult situation.

“The ALA is a wonderful organization, and I am so proud to be a part of it,” Raney said.

If you’re looking to make a bigger impact on the mission of the ALA and the ALA Foundation this holiday season, Raney says monthly giving is the way to go.

“I would absolutely recommend monthly giving,” Raney said. “It’s the easy way to go, and in the 21st century – why would you not?”

To start a monthly gift this holiday season, and to help us reach our goal of 100 monthly donors by our 100th National Convention, please visit www.ALAforVeterans.org/Monthly-Gifts.