American Legion Children's Home - Helping Veteran's Families

"All the beautiful
sentiments in the
world weigh less
than a single
lovely action."
-James Russell Lowell

AMERICAN LEGION CHILDREN'S HOME

Need to Know
SPRING, 2010 Issue #72

CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION GRANT AWARDED...

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation awarded the American Legion Children's Home $41,000 for Phase II of our National Awareness Initiative. This grant will support our endeavors to increase awareness for the American Legion Children's Home. This is the second year the Child Welfare Foundation has awarded our facility with funds to help increase awareness. Funding will enable us to print more materials, including brochures and our popular DVD, as well as provide funding for the reprinting of our book, "My Home, the Home of Many" which will be updated with new info and pictures by author and ALCH alum, Barbra Alusi. We couldn't be more excited about receiving this grant, and we're looking forward to reaching more people with our wonderful story!

A FINAL GOODBYE...

     On behalf of the staff, children and alumni of the American Legion Children's Home we wish to say our final goodbye to one of our own family, Barney Edwin Calvert, Sr. Barney passed away on February the 28th, 2010 in Decatur, Texas at age 76 after a 5 year battle against cancer. Barney and 5 of his 9 siblings; sisters - Marcella, Betty and Edna and brothers - Raymond and David all came to live at this Home in 1946. It was here that Barney met his wife of 55 years, Janice Nichols Calvert, when she came to live at the American Legion Children's Home until they married on May 28, 1954. Barney was born on August 30, 1933, in Bristow, Oklahoma, married Janice in 1954 and worked on the Alaskan Pipeline from 1973 until 2007 where he was a talented electrician. Barney and Janice have 3 children; Barney Jr., Cathy Renee and Sidney Elaine and are also proud grandparents of 4 and great-grandparents of 1.
     Barney visited the home regularly with many of his closest friends and family who were also alumni. Barney Calvert, Jr. recounted to us his father's very fond memories of this Home and how he continued to enjoy the ranching and farming, which he learned here, for the rest of his life.
     It is hard to explain that in this line of "work" which is raising these children, we do not get to see the fruits of our labor until many, many years later. We struggle to sometimes see the evidence of the job we are doing. As our current Executive Director, Mr. Alexander, tells the children now, "the best way for you to thank us or compliment us is to grow up and become good parents". I believe Barney Calvert was a wonderful example of this very request we have for our kids today. We can only hope that these children will be as productive and caring parents and friends as Mr. Calvert was.

BLACKHAWK BASKETBALL...

Our boys wanted to form their own American Legion Children's Home basketball team again this year. It was a big hit watching the Blackhawks play last year, and the boys learned so much. It also built teamwork throughout the entire campus, by bringing the kids together to cheer on their team. The girls wanted to get into the action this year, so they formed the Lady Blackhawks, coached by our Recreation Coordinator, Jill Dasen.
The kids get to play their games in our Reynolds gymnasium, and it has again been a positive experience for the players and the entire campus. Several staff came to cheer on our kids, as well as many volunteers, mentors and teachers. Two of our supporters, Rick and Carol Scott, had a banner made for the team. It says, "Home of the Blackhawks" along with a Blackhawk helicopter, and it now hangs proudly in the gym. We are so proud of the players and hope for their continued success! Way to go guys and girls! Go Blackhawks!

Page 2