Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-06-03
;0oD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
deals and Purposes Are In Evidence
Now That Initial Organization
10 Completed. as

Soon after the organization or The
american Legion all Official order
yent out from the headquarters OF War |
lamp Community Service to its held |
workers.. Assistance and good Will
we're to be given to the American |
.esion in all localities. On its side |
he Legion had already expressed It's
ttitude toward the fast developing
rogram OF community service by the
ollowing clause In lts constitution
10 Inculcate a sense OF individual obli-
alton to the community, state aud
latIon." .--~.-,~-~svsx
When the American Legion began
is drive for membership and sought
establish posts, the accumulated ex-
,erience OF War Camp Community
service with soldier and sailor needs
,roved helpful. The services Of nine
rganizers OF proved ability were
,Iaced at the Legion's disposal As
,ecessity demanded. offices. clubs and
Information booths became centers for
ne campaign. The swift advance OF
he organizers as post after post was
stabli shed showed that common Ideals
nd common purpose constituted
reat propelling power in this drive
or members And now that initial
rganization has been completed. these
anne common ideals and purposes are
vident.
The friendliness of the American
.egion for Community Service has re-
emily been nanifesting Itself in vari-
us ways. In Fayetteville y. G., the
, .egion is pledging funds for the 1920
rogrnn OF community club and three
Ulcers of the local post are working
a the general Community Service
ommittee The entire community
york in another place was continued
| the suggestion and with the backing
! { the Legion. The Girls Community
, ,ervice League members are being
sked to discuss with the local post
/ nd the leading men Of the town the
uilding Of community house. One
+ the Legion members i1 Freepnrt.
.ong Island. is so Interested In the
! community Service program that he u
evoting great deal Of time and eff
ort to engage the public In extensive
,lans for civic center and community
ouse. In several places community
ouncil" OF Legion I9embers has been
'ppOinted as special committee to
work with Community Service. Nher-
| yer the girls groups are continuing
| ctivlties the American Legion mem
/ Of
/ nd parties.
In Nassau Queens county. New York
he girls clubs are successfully work
3 ng out with the Legion community
Drums and social evenings. The forum
discussions often lead to warm debates
n national and international topics
/ 'he TX soldier is keen 10 discuss cur
ent events and the girls are prepared
q cope with several up-to-the-minute
ubiects. The patriotic stimulation
nd sociability resulting from these
meetings is showing good results.
In less pretentious but nevertheless
PRACTICAL ways the Legion Is working
With Community Service in other
,Iaces For example in Baltimore il
: giving free use of its ballroom each
saturday night 10 the girls clubs. In
fredericksburg Virginia, il helped tn
he production Of minstrel SHOW IN
'helsea. Michigan. the post i opening
Is club rooms for general Community
;ervice in lis request for the use OF
ne armory for recreational program.
recreational and social program
, hat is often community wide has been
.ontinued by the American Legion in
many communities where the War
,amp Community Service ceased to
.xist after the disqualification Of the
,oldier. IN eases where the soldiers
tub or hospitality house" was vacated
Nv the government the American
.eyiOn went i'm and began carry
N" movement. This was true in Dial
Ms. Texas. where the American
.egiOn together with the Rainbow.
Gth and Goth divisions. assumed the
responsibilities OF running the soldier
.luh. In Junction City. Kansas. the
.egion has practically full charge OF
he Community House and its program.
Tho numerous occasions on which
Community Service has been able 10
assist In programs given by the various
ocnl posts serve "a other examples of
he corporation between the two or
mnizntions. From cOaching The chorus
VI minstrel show to- he arrangement
" an entire evening. orchestra 20
peakerS. the Community Service
workers. have willingly pm them selves
VI the beck and cnll of the Legion. In
1ackensack New Jersey. the oppor-
! unity of helping in musical enter
ainment led to tho possibility ot form
ne n glce club Of fhe Legion men and
he colored poSt Of EnglewoOd. New
Jersey. has asked che help OF Com
nunity Service Iva arranging years
program of activities The community
'ouncii Of 1elsea. Michigan. is 90
: pperaring with The Legion in conduct
ng two weekly dancing classes fol
, owed ny community dance. The
: .cgion club rooms in Housion. Texas
yerp renovated and redecorated witt
he help of Community service.
In many places The Community Serv