The American Legion Robert E. Coulter Jr. Post 1941 in La Grange gave away $61,500 to 15 local nonprofits at its annual Charitable Giving Night on Wednesday, Aug. 19, with representatives from most organizations on hand to receive checks.
Combined with about $15,000 in scholarships to Lyons Township students, the post has donated $75,000 locally in 2026.
Post Commander William Kiddon said the post funds the donations through its own fundraising — bingo on Mondays, facility rentals, concerts, pancake breakfasts, and spaghetti dinners. “Very few people give us money,” Kiddon said. “We’re earning the money through these different fundraisers to turn around and do this.”
The post follows a strict allocation: 60 percent of donations go to veteran and military family charities, and 40 percent to community nonprofits. Recipients included Hines Fisher House, Helping Hand of Countryside, BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, Center for Independence, Beds Plus, Chicago Area Alternative Education League, USO of Illinois, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1941, Pillars Community Health, Aging Care Connections, Honor Flight Chicago, Dive Heart, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
Beyond the annual giving night, Kiddon said the post supports one-off charities throughout the year.
The post also runs a monthly blood drive for the American Red Cross — a commitment that began in May 2020 when the Red Cross called asking for help during the pandemic. “All the blood drive centers were closing. The churches didn’t want to open, and places that held blood drives stopped,” Kiddon said. “We heard about that on the radio, so we called them up and said we’ll open our doors.”
The Red Cross has recognized the post’s effort. Andrew Berryman from the Red Cross presented a certificate of recognition at Wednesday’s event, noting that the post operates the most successful blood drive facility in Illinois outside Red Cross headquarters.
