The American Legion is the world’s largest volunteer organization yet many do not know what we do. It’s common if you asked the average person what the Legion does the answers would most likely range from, "That’s where the old vets gather to relive their youth," to "That’s where grandma and her friends play Bingo."

One of the main reasons the public doesn’t know what The American Legion is, or what it does, is the failure to report, and in the words of Past Department Children & Youth Chairwoman Francis Swensen, "We need to ‘toot’ our horn."

Part of the problem may be so much of what we do has become routine and we take it for granted. How many of you remember brushing your teeth this morning? You did brush right? Believe it or not, I’ve had people, including former players, tell me they didn’t realize The American Legion sponsored----American Legion Baseball.

Each of us needs to remind the media and the public what we do. We’re entering the "reporting season" and I ask every Post to complete and return every report, but first make a few copies and deliver them to the local media, Chamber of Commerce, your city commission, etc so they are aware of the impact you have on your community.

Consolidated Post Reports illustrates the impact local Legionnaires make in their communities and our nation.

Nationwide, approximately 60% of American Legion Posts submit annual Post Consolidated Reports to National Headquarters outlining their local activities in support of the organization’s mission and values. Across the country and beyond, the Legion helps hundreds of thousands of veterans, military families, schools and young people. The report presents that involvement in terms of dollars raised, volunteer hours put in, events coordinated and approximate number of people affected.

Recently National’s Internal Affairs Division summarized the 2011 fiscal year. The final numbers are quite impressive even with only 60% of Posts reporting. While some might conclude the 40% who fail to report didn’t do anything (and that may be true in some cases) I am aware of a number of Posts who routinely don’t report annual events for a number of reasons…mostly they don’t think their activity makes much of a difference. In two words, "They’re incorrect."

Every report adds to the greater total just like every drop of water adds to a full glass. Please make certain you report your personal charitable activities to your Post and that your Post files their annual Children & Youth and Consolidated reports for 2012 which are due in April and May.

The 2012 American Legion Consolidated Post Reports reveal:

3,899,125-Hours of community service performed by Post members

$4,249,713- Money spent performing community service by American Legion Posts

159,187- Number of veterans benefits cases handled by American Legion Post Service Officers

$2,319,797-Money spent by Posts providing emergency aid

7,209- Number of ROTC medals presented by Legionnaires

21,074- Number of school medals presented to students by local Posts

109,475- Number of funeral honors provided by local Legion Posts for veterans and military personnel

16,105- Number of American Legion Boys State participants sponsored by Legion Posts

$1,037,926- Local donations to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, to help the children of military personnel killed on duty after 9/11

314- Number of citizenship and naturalization activities conducted by local Legion Posts nationwide

2,058-Number of local Posts with websites

2,786- Number of local Posts with publications

47,508- Number of youths participating in Legion-sponsored Scouting units

237,905- Number of competitors participating in local American Legion Oratorical Contests

13,934- Number of college scholarships granted by local American Legion Posts

875- Number of Posts that have Vets in the Classroom programs

39,048- Number of U.S. Flag presentations by Legion Posts

1,464- Number of local Legion events to recognize the anniversary of 9/11

4,401-Number of Posts with local Flag Day activities

6,899- Number of Posts with local Veterans Day activities

7,317- Number of Posts with local Memorial Day activities

1,506- Number of Posts with local Get Out the Vote programs to encourage registration and participation in the electoral process

2,272- Number of American Legion Baseball teams sponsored

6,943- Number of participants in Post sponsored Junior Shooting Sports clubs

719- Number of Posts with Family Support Network programs, which help military families during the deployment of a parent

$211,946- Money donated locally for the Family Support Network

$288,949- Money donated locally for the Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance program, which helps military and veteran families with minor children at home

$202,486- Money donated by local Posts to help children’s hospitals

8,334- Number of American Legion Posts submitting Consolidated Post Reports in 2011

13,807- Number of American Legion Posts worldwide