Who They Are
The Waukee American Legion has been part of the Waukee community for over 10 years. Their top priority is helping veterans. The Waukee American Legion Family is made up of three organizations: the Waukee American Legion, the Waukee Auxiliary and the Waukee Legion Riders. Each of these organizations expands the American Legion’s reach in supporting veterans—locally, throughout the state and across the nation.
What They Do
The Waukee American Legion participates in many events throughout the year. For example, they:
- Take part in many Waukee community events, such as the Memorial Day ceremony, Celebrate Waukee, and the Waukee 4TH of July.
- Conduct U.S. Flag retirement ceremonies in the Waukee Triangle area.
- Serve meals at the Waukee Farmers Market from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
- Participate in the Celebrate Waukee and July 4th parades and barbecue in Centennial park and provide a playlist of music for the fireworks display.
- Distribute poppies at the Waukee Hy-Vee to raise funds for veterans.
- Participate in veterans’ funerals.
- Collect and distribute clothing for homeless veterans.
- Hold the Legion Riders Annual Toy Run.
- Sponsor local youth through the Waukee Junior Auxiliary and Boy Scouts Troop 182, and by paying the fees of $300 and $400 to sponsor high school juniors that attend Hawkeye Boys State and Hawkeye Girls State each June.
- Hold a Legion Riders Breakfast on the third Sunday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
- Hold a Legion Meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
- Hold an Auxiliary Meeting on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Where Their Money Goes
They assist veterans with food, money or any other service that he or she may need.
They help local veterans with specific individual needs. This past December, members of the Waukee Legion and Boy Scout Troop 182 helped a Waukee veteran family move to a new apartment.
The Legion Riders assist families in need for Christmas. This past Christmas, they provided over $3,400 giving support to seven families including 26 children and nine adults. The Riders have been supporting families with between $3,000 and $4,500 for several years.
The Auxiliary organizes events to send care packages, cards and financial donations to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.
The money from poppy donations has gone to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, a special fund to assist veterans who enter the VA hospital, other non-profit veteran organizations and helping local veterans on an individual basis.
Members assist veterans in getting their benefits through government organizations in the area.
They fund improvements and utilities for the Waukee Veterans Hall. This building allows both the American Legion and the VFW organizations to hold their meetings and events. Other community events are held at this location and they also rent out the space.
They provide support to the local Boys Scout Troops, the food bank and other local groups who partner with the American Legion.
Their Future Plans
The Waukee Legion Family would like to expand and add one more nationally sponsored organization, Sons of the American Legion. Membership would be open to boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in the American Legion.
How You Can Help
The American Legion is always looking for members who can help with activities, whether that be helping with Legion Family events or just by joining and paying dues to demonstrate your support for their activities.
How To Learn More
Veterans and their spouses and children are welcome to become members of the Waukee Legion Family. You can learn more about The Waukee American Legion at WaukeeAmericanLegion.org or email them at
WaukeeAmerLegionPost737@hotmail.com.
The state website, ialegion.org, is also an excellent source of information.
Interested community members are also welcome to stop by any of the American Legion meetings to obtain more information.