20 years ago, my mother, high on cocaine, tried to commit suicide. My mom lied to the case worker and told them that my dad was strung out, and my younger brother and myself were put into a Juvinile shelter. We were there for about 4 or 5 months when we were transferred to a place called America Legion Childrens Home. The only one thing that made us eligible to go to ALCH, was our dad's time in Vietnam with the Marine Corps. We spent just over 14 months there.
200 miles from home. My mom could not take us because of the drugs, and the suicide attempt. The courts wouldnt let our dad take us because of lies by my mom so we were stuck. My parents were both given an extensve list of things they had to do to even be considered for custody of us. The lists were crazy. drug counseling, AA meetings, NA meetings, life skills classes, mental health evaluations, the works. After about 14 months of being there, our dad completed his list. Our mom hadn't even started on hers. They finally gave custody to our dad, and we got out the day after my little brothers 12th birthday and NEVER LOOKED BACK!
We have both (my bro and me) have grown into strong, successful men, despite the drama of not only missing out on a childhood, but being locked up. The 19 or so months we were locked up was the absolute worst time of my life. Every day was a war.
I did not post this to draw sympathy for myself. Do not feel sorry or bad for me. My past made me the man i am today and i am thankfull for that.
I am posting this to give you a mental picture of one reason why a kid would be in ALCH. Consider losing your mom or dad in combat, and having no other family, so they stick you in a childrens home. Or maybe your parents are split up like mine, and one of them is a loser and lies on the other and next thing you know, because of their disgust toward each other, you are paying with your FREEDOM.
The American Legion Childrens Home is a place that tries to help with kids of military veterans. They have been around since the 20's, and do good work. They have helped alot of kids, and continue to do so.
The ALCH does recieve quite a bit of grant money, as well as money and support from Americal Legion troops around the country. There are also some wealthy people that donate time and money during the holidays.
What i am asking for, is something similar to the pens for troops thing. One of the things listed that they always need at the ALCH, is ink pens. Oddly enough, that is somthing i know a little bit about, and have a little network of friends that know more than me!
There are approx. 65 kids on campus, and i would REALLY like to put a pen in each of their hands. Unfortunately, I am a poor boy, and 65 pens would mean no electricity for a month and my wife would not be happy about that.
SO, I am calling on my friends (and enemies) here at IAP.
If you want to send them straight to the campus, that would be awesome! If you want to send them to me, and I will add them to the collection i had already planned on sending to make one big collection, we can do that as well. Imagine what a hand crafted pen might mean to one of these young kids. I can't speak of their excitement, or lack thereof... But i can tell you how much it would mean to me if we could do this. I would be forever in your debt if you helped me out on this one.
Their mailing address is listed on their website...
http://www.americanlegionchildrenshome.org/index.html
If you want to ship them to me, and i will more than likely hand deliver them (about 3 hours one way), PM me for my address. Either way, let me know if you are sending pens directly. I would like to keep track of what is sent.
Thanks, Ron
Our History...
The American Legion Children's Home was established in 1928 as an orphanage for children of veterans who could not provide care for their young. The land, as well as the funds for the first dormitory, were donated by E.W. Marland, Conoco Oil man and past Governor of Oklahoma. The facility now serves as a Home to 62 children, ages 11 - 18.
Over the past 80 years we have served children from a wide variety of backgrounds with very diverse needs caused by loss of family, depravity, abuse or neglect. Since opening in 1928, the Home has served approximately 8,000 children and still stands as the one and only American Legion Children's Home in our nation.
200 miles from home. My mom could not take us because of the drugs, and the suicide attempt. The courts wouldnt let our dad take us because of lies by my mom so we were stuck. My parents were both given an extensve list of things they had to do to even be considered for custody of us. The lists were crazy. drug counseling, AA meetings, NA meetings, life skills classes, mental health evaluations, the works. After about 14 months of being there, our dad completed his list. Our mom hadn't even started on hers. They finally gave custody to our dad, and we got out the day after my little brothers 12th birthday and NEVER LOOKED BACK!
We have both (my bro and me) have grown into strong, successful men, despite the drama of not only missing out on a childhood, but being locked up. The 19 or so months we were locked up was the absolute worst time of my life. Every day was a war.
I did not post this to draw sympathy for myself. Do not feel sorry or bad for me. My past made me the man i am today and i am thankfull for that.
I am posting this to give you a mental picture of one reason why a kid would be in ALCH. Consider losing your mom or dad in combat, and having no other family, so they stick you in a childrens home. Or maybe your parents are split up like mine, and one of them is a loser and lies on the other and next thing you know, because of their disgust toward each other, you are paying with your FREEDOM.
The American Legion Childrens Home is a place that tries to help with kids of military veterans. They have been around since the 20's, and do good work. They have helped alot of kids, and continue to do so.
The ALCH does recieve quite a bit of grant money, as well as money and support from Americal Legion troops around the country. There are also some wealthy people that donate time and money during the holidays.
What i am asking for, is something similar to the pens for troops thing. One of the things listed that they always need at the ALCH, is ink pens. Oddly enough, that is somthing i know a little bit about, and have a little network of friends that know more than me!
There are approx. 65 kids on campus, and i would REALLY like to put a pen in each of their hands. Unfortunately, I am a poor boy, and 65 pens would mean no electricity for a month and my wife would not be happy about that.
SO, I am calling on my friends (and enemies) here at IAP.
If you want to send them straight to the campus, that would be awesome! If you want to send them to me, and I will add them to the collection i had already planned on sending to make one big collection, we can do that as well. Imagine what a hand crafted pen might mean to one of these young kids. I can't speak of their excitement, or lack thereof... But i can tell you how much it would mean to me if we could do this. I would be forever in your debt if you helped me out on this one.
Their mailing address is listed on their website...
http://www.americanlegionchildrenshome.org/index.html
If you want to ship them to me, and i will more than likely hand deliver them (about 3 hours one way), PM me for my address. Either way, let me know if you are sending pens directly. I would like to keep track of what is sent.
Thanks, Ron
Our History...
The American Legion Children's Home was established in 1928 as an orphanage for children of veterans who could not provide care for their young. The land, as well as the funds for the first dormitory, were donated by E.W. Marland, Conoco Oil man and past Governor of Oklahoma. The facility now serves as a Home to 62 children, ages 11 - 18.
Over the past 80 years we have served children from a wide variety of backgrounds with very diverse needs caused by loss of family, depravity, abuse or neglect. Since opening in 1928, the Home has served approximately 8,000 children and still stands as the one and only American Legion Children's Home in our nation.
