40 & Eight Programs
The 40 & 8 and La Femmes are first and foremost Legionnaires and Auxiliary members and support the programs of the American Legion. In addition, below are the 40 & 8 programs that we support.
Nurses Training
The Nurses Training Program was established in 1955 to provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships to those enrolled for training. Goose Creek Voiture 1067 pays $1000 for a nurse's tuition each year. We are looking forward to increasing that to 2 nurses a year soon.
Child Welfare
The Child Welfare Program was established in 1923 to ease the pain and suffering of those children whose fathers never returned or who were unable to care for their needs after the "Big War." Today, this program has grown to include all children with emergent needs, and our efforts, nationally, amount to over eight million dollars annually.
POW/MIA Survivors Scholarship Trust Fund
The National
POW/MIA Survivors Scholarship Program raises funds for the POW/MIA Scholarship
Trust Fund in Honor of the Servicemen & Women who were Prisoners of War, or are
considered Missing In Action while serving in the defense of the United
States of America, or its allies during times of armed conflict.
The Scholarship Trust Fund provides scholarships to direct descendants and spouses of verifiable POW/MIA
Servicemen and Women. Scholarships are limited to the Veteran, the
Spouse of the veteran, children, and grandchildren of the veteran.
Youth Sports
The Youth Sports Program was established in 1994. Through this
program, the 40 & 8 provides financial assistance in the form of grants to
individual athletes or teams who lack the funds required to attend and
participate in amateur sports programs. This program encompasses all
amateur sports programs for all youths from 7 to 20 years of age.
Voiture 1067 supports American Legion Post 166's Baseball team by
donating money and helping with concessions and gate sales.
Americanism
As veterans who have served their country in its time of greatest
need, the fun-loving, hard-working Forty & Eight
maintain a strong commitment to the American way of life. Americanism
projects, respect for the flag, Constitution, Law and Order and the
proven willingness to defend these principles is evident in the
day-to-day activities of members of our society. We visit local
area schools to promote the American way, and provide funds to send
youth's to Boy State where they role play and learn about American
politics and civics.
Carville Star
The Forty & Eight continues to supports "The Carville Star," which is
a publication that provides information regarding the research into Hansen's
Disease (Leprosy) taking place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They have been
successful in isolating, controlling and soon, through their research,
the development of a vaccine to prevent Hansen's Disease. "The Star" is
published at the former United States Public Health Service Hospital
located in Carville, Louisiana.
Veteran's Affairs Voluntary Service
As part of this program, we visit Veteran Administration Medical Centers on a regular basis, where we give comfort and assistance to, or just visit with, hospitalized veterans.
National Box Car Association
The National Box Car Association (NBCA) is an independent association
within the Forty & Eight which raises funds by selling Crew or Associate
Membership Cards. All funds raised by the Association are used within
the year they are obtained. The National Box Car Association supports
several special projects at Promenade Nationale (National Convention).
Each year, a party for special children is planned at the host city.
These special children and their escorts are treated to lunch, train
rides, and entertainment provided by HOBO Clowns and bands. The entire
cost of this party is paid by the NBCA from the funds collected in their
annual membership drive. Another project at Promenade Nationale, is a
monetary donation made to the local VAVS Hospital or Clinic. This
contribution usually goes to the Patient Services area. The NBCA also
contributes large amounts to the various programs of Voiture Nationale
(National Headquarters), such as the Boland Nurses Training Trust Fund
and the Charles Ardery Child Welfare Trust Fund. Monies are also given
to the other programs which may require assistance, such as the
Membership Committee, Forty & Eighter Magazine, Law Officer of the Year
Program and many others.
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