Unprecedented generosity!

American Legion Post 25 in Lake Placid, Florida has become a community hub for entertainment and comradery. On Friday nights members from all around our area come to Post 25 for an evening of good food, drinks, entertainment, and fun.

On Friday afternoon, August 11, 2023, Commander Fred Pierce got a call from the mother of a veteran living in Lake Placid in need of help. The Vet is out of the country and his mother is taking care of his two small children. The Mom was renting a home and dutifully paying her rent. Unfortunately, the landlord was not paying his mortgage.

Then one day she was visited by the Sheriff and given an eviction notice. Needless to say, she was stunned and contacted her son. He suggested that she call the local American Legion Post 25 and ask for some help.

Despite the snowbirds not yet returning to our community, Post 25 has continued to pack’m in on Friday nights. August 11, 2023, was another lively evening at Post 25. As is our usual evening routine, at 8:00 pm the lights went up, Commander Fred Pierce, First Vice Commander Pete Ruiz, and the Sons of the American Legion Commanders come to the front of the stage.

Typically, Fred tells a few jokes, thanks everyone for being there, makes a few announcements, give away some 50/50 money, and a lucky attendee gets a chance at winning the big Queen of Hearts Take-Home Pot.

Commander Fred then told everyone about the phone call from earlier that day asking for help. He held up a bucket and asked for donations. “Jay”, our entertainer for the evening, kicked off things by dropping a $100 bill into the bucket (THANKS, Jay!)

That started it!

By 8:30 pm there was $600 in the bucket! By 9:00 pm, there was over $1,000 in the bucket! Then someone volunteered to pay for an additional four nights in the hotel where the Mom and her two grandchildren were staying.

By the end of the evening, over $1,600 was donated by members of American Legion Post 25!

American people are, by nature, very generous people. So, a BIG THANKS to all of our members that came to the assistance of a fellow American in need of help.

God Bless you all!