On Sept. 9, 2022, John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 of Leland co-sponsored a Red Cross blood drive with WWAY. The event was held at the WWAY Leland facility. The Red Cross collected 54 successful donations. Commander John Hacker stated, “We live in a great community. The people who work and live in the Leland area repeatedly step up when there is a need identified. Our American Legion Post 68 holds several events like this blood drive, to provide assistance to the community and the area veterans. It is an honor to participate in these types of events.”
The blood drive only works when volunteers step up. Cecile Simmons and Alan Simmons (see photo below) consistently step forward to work at these blood drives along with other Post 68 members. Vice Commander Dan Fortini led this operation to its successful completion.
John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 has embarked on a program of suicide awareness. We are attempting to achieve two goals; educate the community and provide assistance for our veterans. In the second photo below is Stephanie Zaleta, an intern with the Red Cross Services to Armed Forces (SAF). Zaleta is standing next to our suicide awareness banner with Hacker. She has volunteered to assist us with this program. We are posting the suicide awareness banner at all of our upcoming events hoping to spark conversations and to educate. As a result, WWAY has offered to assist us with outreach to the community by introducing the suicide awareness program through an interview with Hacker.