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Tullahoma American Legion Post 43 is a non-profit veterans’ organization. We rely on our community to fund many of the projects we offer, such as: Boys and Girls State, awards and certificats for the Tullahoma High school MC JROTC, and FREE American flags to name a few. These alone cost us thousands of dollars each year and we are more than happy to offer these services for free of charge to our community.
The Post is completely operated by volunteers and relies substantially on the community and our membership donations to exist. While we do receive a small amount of revenue from our membership dues, the majority of that income is sent to the state and national American Legion. The remainder of dues income that we are permitted to retain covers only a small percentage of our costs. Although we are not a for profit business, we do have many of the same cost such as utilities, cable, phone, insurance, and property taxes. We must depend on our membership and the public to help us meet those obligations.
A Brief Tullahoma American Legion History
Post 43 was at its peak in the 80's and 90's and was the largest Post in Tennessee at one point with over 2000 Legion members, not counting the Sons of The Legion and Ladies Auxiliary members. At its pinacol, the Post was able to raise sufficient funds very easily by means of Bingo, raffles, and operating a full-time restaurant and lounge, featuring entertainment, live bands and dancing every weekend. Post 43 was for many years considered the “hottest place in town”. However, changes to Tennessee laws made it illegal for the organization, to use Bingo and Raffles as a fundraising tool plus the legalization of Liquor By The Drink for all restaurants and bars, not just private clubs made it extremely difficult for us to survive.
Over time the membership dropped dramatically and fund raising became substantially more challenging, Post 43 was compelled to make dramatic changes. Ultimately the Post was forced to shut down the restaurant and lounge, sell its’ large building and most of the property, cut its losses and relocate to where we are currently. The Post purchased the old town pool hall on downtown Atlantic Street. The old pool hall was renovated in 2009 and is at this time being remodeled for the second time. During its’ good days, the Post was also able to tuck away enough savings to sustain its’ operation for the last sixteen years without any additional fundraising. Unfortunately, the savings will soon run out if the Post isn't able to develop a source of income large enough to sustain itself. Today our Post Legion membership is less than 200 members, with 80% over the age of 60. Many of our veteran seniors are unable to get out and work on conducting community fund raising events.
The rest of the story
Now that you know a little history, this is why we need your help! With your monetary donation, not only will it help us to maintain our daily operating costs, it also will assist us in continuing to support our Veterans in the Tullahoma community. We also support the Tullahoma High School ROTC program, and fund students to attend Boys and Girls state each year. In December, the Post family comes together to put together food boxes for our Big Brothers food drive for needy families at Christmas. We also do an Angel Tree, that aids needy veterans and families in the area. Unfortunately, our donations are growing smaller, and the workers are getting fewer.
Here's how you can help us
You can support our organization by making a tax-deductible donation to American Legion Post 43, a Tennessee Non-Profit 501(c)(19) organization. You can make a donation by, Credit Card or Debit Card, PayPal, Personal Check, or money order, PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH.
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Check Donations by Mail:
Checks may be made payable to American Legion Post 43 and mailed to:
American Legion Post 43, P.O. Box 212, Tullahoma, TN 37388
Please include your return address so we may mail a receipt for your tax records.
Thank you for your support!