Austin Homeless Veterans Program receives $500 donation from Onion Creek Post 326 (*Administered by the Central Texas Veterans Heath Care System-Volunteer Services) L-R:  Molly Batschelet, Post 326 Commander Ken Baucom and Michael Wittrock
 

Post 326 supports a variety of Veterans and Community projects which are funded wholly from the revenue generated by our annual Memorial Golf Tournament.  The following is a summary of current on-going charitable projects:

Scholarships for HS Seniors:  Post 326 annually selects deserving high school seniors for scholarship awards.  In 2009 26 candidates were interviewed from the following area high schools:  Akins, Bowie, Hays and St. Michael's Catholic Academy.  Post 326 awarded $17,000 in scholarships (2 ea $4,000 and 9ea $1,000).  Please see section on Scholarships.

Operation Landstuhl Project:  In 2007 Post 326 donated $5,000 to Operation Landstuhl.  Landstuhl is the regional medical facility in Germany and is the critical stop on the way home for most Americans who have been severely wounded.  The funds were donated to the Chaplains at Landstuhl to use as appropriate to provide items for the wounded during their stay while recuperating.

Fisher House Project:  In 2008 Post 326 donated $5,400 to Fisher Houses at the Brooke Army Medical Center and Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas.  The Fisher House Project provides support/assistance to family members visiting wounded veterans recovering at military hospital facilities.

American Legion Boys/Girls State:  Boys/Girls State is a one-week American Legion program for selected high school juniors (girls and boys) in a university setting for one week who “learn by doing” about local, county and state government.  In 2009 14 candidates were interviewed from the following area high schools:  Akins, Bowie and Hays.  10 students (7 boys and 3 girls) were selected to at attend Boys/Girls State at a cost of $3,365.  Please see section on Boys/Girls State.

Heroes to Hometowns (H2H):  H2H is an American Legion/Department of Defense program designed to assist returning severely wounded military veterans and their families during their time of readjustment to civilian life.  Post 326 has made a funded commitment of $2,450 to provide required support when notified.

Donation of Equipment Trailer to Texas State Guard:  In the fall of 2007 Post 326 approved $2,000 to purchase an enclosed trailer for the Texas State Guard Battalion based in San Marcos, Texas.  The Texas State Guard is an all-volunteer organization and receives no funding from the state.  The Texas State Guard is organized for quickly responding to the needs of citizens during times of crisis, such as hurricane and flooding disasters.  The trailer will be used to store and transport equipment and supplies during disaster relief operations.

Austin Veterans Homeless Program:   In 2010 Post 326 donated $500 to the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) Austin Volunteer Services for Homeless Veterans to be used for the Austin Veterans Homeless Program.  Subsequently Post 326 approved an additional donation of $1,000 to be paid-out later in the year.

American Legion Youth Baseball:  In 2009 Post 326 approved a donation $1,000 to the Tenth District Baseball Program.  The money is used primarily to purchase insurance for teams and to provide support for the annual District baseball tournament (trophies and miscellaneous expenses).

American Legion HS Oratorical Scholarship Program "a constitutional speech contest":  The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among  high school students. The 70-year program presents particpants with the academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation's laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.  In 2009 Post 326 approved $600 to support this program.

VA Driver Program:  Post 326 is supporting the VA Driving Program by providing volunteer drivers who transport veterans for medical appointments between the Austin VA Clinic and VA Hospital in Temple.  The volunteer drivers use a VA provided van.  Currently we have four volunteer drivers.  Each volunteer averages 2 trips per month at 9 hours/trip.

Flag Retirement Ceremony:  Each year on June 14th Post 326 conducts a Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Onion Creek Club.  Fire protection supervision is provided by the local fire department.

ROTC Certificates:  Each year during the month of May Post 326 presents two ROTC recognition certificates to cadets enrolled in the ROTC program at Hays HS.

Transportation Program:  Post 326 has organized a transportation program.  The program consists of approximately 17 members who volunteer their time and vehicles to transport Post members as well as residents of the local Onion Creek community who are unable to drive a car to medical appointments, shopping and other chores which require transportation.  The program provides a much needed service and has been very successful. 

Other Recent Veterans and Community Projects:  Capital Area Food Bank for Victims of Hurricane Ike ($1,000); Texas National Guard General Family Support Foundation ($500); Post 326 thank you to Onion Creek Club employees for outstanding support and services ($500); Support to the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System to assist in the medical needs of Texas veterans ($325); Purchase of  “Spinoza Bears” (talking bears with recorded cassette messages) to aid central Texas children recuperating from serious illnesses ($306); DVD Flag Videos “For Which It Stands” distributed to ten local elementary schools including briefings to school representatives on it’s use ($300); Scholarship Recognition Dinner ($264); Texas National Guard Aviation Deployment ($250); Boys/Girls State Recognition Dinner ($245); Telephone Cards for Deployed and Hospitalized Members via The Fisher House ($200); Bedichek Middle School Historical Preservation Project ($200); Capital Area Food Bank for Victims of Hurricane Katrina ($200); Support of the Onion Creek Sub-division July 4th celebration and Austin Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the Austin area Military Service Coalition ($207); Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services ($125); Texas American Legion Development Foundation Oratorical Contest ($125); Onion Creek July Fourth Celebration ($119); American Heart Association ($100); and Others (Austin Area Military Service Coalition; Salute to WW II Veterans; Temple VA; and Visitation Program to the “The Park at Becket Meadows” (an assisted living facility).