Young Marines grateful for a grant from American Legion Child Welfare Foundation

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation has provided a $90,000 grant to the Young Marines youth organization for the purpose of creating printed materials to use in its campaigns to reduce the demand for drugs through education to the 11,000 Young Marines across the country.

“The work we are doing would not be possible were it not for the Child Welfare Foundation,” said Mike Kessler, national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “We are so grateful for the grant, and we’re humbled by the foundation’s trust in us to be effective in our drug demand reduction efforts.”

The materials are distributed not only to the Young Marines units but to schools and youth organizations in the communities. It is essential the drug demand reduction message reach as many young people as possible, and the youth of the Young Marines work tirelessly to that end.

Established in 1954, the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation was developed as a repository of funds from individuals who wished to contribute to the betterment of children in this country. Its foremost philanthropic priority is to provide other nonprofit organizations with the means to educate the public about the special needs of children across this nation.

In 1955, it gave its first three grants totaling $22,500 to three organizations. To date, more than $13 million has been awarded to organizations helping children.

“The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is proud to have provided a grant to assist in funding the Drug Demand Reduction program of the Young Marines,” said Jason R. Kees, executive secretary, American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. “Our organizations are strengthening the lives of children across America by promoting the values that have made our nation great. By investing in the lives of our nation’s youth, the American Legion and the Young Marines are ensuring a brighter future for all Americans. “

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 300 units with 10,000 youth and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Germany, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

For more information, visit the official website