American Legion Auxiliary 229 earns National President’s Award for Excellence

MADISON – Auxiliary Unit 229 with Madison American Legion, Post 229 has earned the National President’s Award for Excellence.

Led by Jean Downs, outgoing President of Auxiliary Unit 229, the group accepted their prestigious award at the American Legion National Convention in New Orleans, La. in August.

Unit 229 is one of the most active units in Alabama. The membership supports sending local students to Girls State each year, assisting the Trail of Tears commemorative motorcycle ride and staffing an information booth at Madison Street Festival, along with helping veterans in parades and school events.

In addition, Auxiliary members make gifts for veterans, handle upkeep of a flower bed at Veteran’s Park in Madison and place holiday wreaths and flags on veterans’ graves throughout the year. The organizations prepare Valentine’s luncheons for residents and spouses at Tut Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville, entertain the veterans each month by conducting “Game Night” and visit other nursing homes.

“One of the newer programs we’re supporting this year is the PEER program providing veterans with free public transportation tickets, so veterans can go to their medical visits at the Veterans Administration clinic in Huntsville,” Downs said.

Established in 2009, the National President’s Award for Excellence is presented only to five outstanding units and one department annually to recognize their success in formulating goals that result in noteworthy outcomes for American Legion Auxiliary programs. “There are over 8,000 units across the United States, and Madison’s Unit 229 is honored and proud to have won this year’s award,” incoming president Michele Kinney said.

Founded in 1919, American Legion Auxiliary has approximately one million members from all backgrounds. The auxiliary’s volunteers administer hundreds of programs, give tens of thousands of hours to its communities and to veterans and raise millions of dollars to support its own programs, along with other worthwhile charities. Volunteers accomplish these goals.

American Legion Auxiliary’s membership includes male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters and direct/adopted female descendants of Legionnaires. Through its approximate 10,500 units in every state and some foreign countries, the Auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace. The auxiliary solidly stands behind America and its ideals.

After leading Unit 229 for the past seven years, Jean Downs has stepped down as President, and Michele Kinney has accepted the role of Unit President for the 2025 membership year. Kinney is eligible for Auxiliary membership because her husband Michael Kinney is a 21-year Air Force veteran and former teacher at Bob Jones High School and Calhoun Community College.

For more information about American Legion Auxiliary, email Kinney at drmkinney@ hotmail.com, visit legion-aux. org/Eligibility or attend Unit 229’s next meeting at Black Patch Distillery on Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m.