SAN ANTONIO – (July 17, 2023) – The American Legion has been a supporter for Boy Scouts of America since the Legion’s first national convention in 1919.

To locally support Lackland Cub Scouts Pack 561 and Boys Scout Troop 10, the post hosted a live concert featuring renowned jazz artist Billy Ray Sheppard at the post’s event center.

The performance was held in support of Project Shoes, led by Legionnaire Augustus Coleman, which serves as the chartering organization representative for Pack 561 and Troop 10.

Project Shoes is part of the post’s Children & Youth program, which raises funds to purchase new shoes for high school students within the post’s area of responsibility. This month’s event was specifically aimed to raise funds in support of Scouting.

According to Coleman, the simple gesture of purchasing a new pair of shoes increases a child’s self-esteem. In turn, the results help increase students’ attendance and can ultimately help to increase graduation rates.

“I remember my mother struggling to put clothes on our back, and shoes on the feet of six kids,” said Coleman. “I bought my first pair of shoes when I was 14 with money I earned by working in a school program. I remember how my self-esteem increased when I bought them, so I want other young kids to experience the same.”

Project Shoes has been very successful due to the support of Sheppard, who has been donating his talents to provide entertainment since the first Project Shoes event.

Prior to the performance, the post accepted a donation of 500 pairs of socks from the AT&T Pioneers, a network of volunteers who effect immediate, tangible change in their local communities.

“We find needy organizations and partner with them,” said AT&T Pioneers President Angela Lewis, whose chapter covers San Antonio, Houston and Corpus Christi. “The post was referred to us by one of our employees, Pat Sledge, who is a member of the post.”

The socks, which were individually bagged with a personal note from each AT&T employee, were turned over to Unit 828 Auxiliary President Pamela Money to augment health and comfort items for veterans at local VA hospitals.

The mission of Fred Brock Post 828 is to enhance the well-being of San Antonio’s veterans, their families, the military and the community by its devotion to mutual helpfulness.