New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-05-07
GOOD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
deals and Purposes Are in Evidence
Now That initial Organization
Is Completed.

. Soon after the organization of tn
American Legion an official orde
i. went out from the headquarters of Wa.
!, Camp Community Service to its tielt
workers. Assistance and good vii
were to be given to the American
Legion In all localities. On it's side
the Legion had already expressed IL
attitude toward the fast developing
program of community service by the
ito inculcate a sense of individual obli.
CATION to the community, state and
nation"
When the American Legion began
Its drive for membership and sought
to establish posts, the accumulated ex-
perience of War Camp Community
Service with soldier and sailor needs
proved helpful. The services of nine
organizers of proved ability were
placed at the Legion's disposal. As
necessity demanded, offices, clubs and
information booths became centers for
the campaign. The swift advance of
the organizers as post after post was
established showed that common ideals
and a common purpose constituted a
great propelllng power in this drive
for members. And now that initial
organization has been completed, these
same common ideals and purposes are
evident.
The friendllness OF the American
Legion for Community Service has re-
Gently been manifesting itself in vari-
Gus ways. In Fayetteville, N. c., the
Legion Is pledging funds for the 1920
program of a community club and three |
officers OF the local post are working |
on the general Community Service
committee. The entire community
work In another place was continued
at the suggestion and with the backing
Of the Legion. The Girls Community
Service League members are being
asked to discuss with the local post
and the leading men Of the town the
building of a community house. One
OF he Legion members In Freeport,
Long Island. Is so interested In the
Community Service program that he is
.devotlng a great deal of time and ef-
fort to engage the public In extensive
plans for a civic center and community
house. In several places a Community
council" OF Legion members has been
appointed as a special committee to
work with Community Service. Wher-
ever the girls groups are continuing
activities the American Legion men,
bers are the popular guests at dances
and parties.
In Nassau-Queens county, New York,
girls clubs are successfully work
ing out with the Legion community
and social evenings. The forum
discussions often lead to warm debates l
IN national and international topics. l
The ex-soldler Is keen to discuss cur I
events and the girls are prepared I
o cope with several up-to-the-mlnute u
ubJects. The patriotic stimulation !
nd sociabilIty resulting from these I
meetings is showing good results. 8
In less %pretentious but nevertheless =.
%ractical ways the Legion is working 4
Community Service in other
laces. For example in Baltimore II n
giving free use Of its ballroom each
aturday night to the girls clubs. In
fredericksburg, Virginia. 1t helped In
production Of a minstrel show; In
helsea, Michigan, the post Is opening o
8 club rooms for a general Community
In Its request for the use of
he armory for a recreational program.
A recreational and social program
lat Is often community wide has been
'ntinued by the American Legion in
any communities where the War
amp Community Service ceased to :
after the rehabilitation of the
'ldier. In cases where the soldiers
ub or hospitality house" was vacated
the government the American
agion went In and began a "carry (
!" movement. This was true In Dali 4,
S, Texas, where the American
'gion. together with the Rainbow, ~
tn and Goth divisions, assumed the T"
sponslbility of running the soldier al
lb. In Junction City, Kansas, the VI
'gion has practically full charge of ~
e Community House and Its program. III
The numerous occasions on which
immunity Service has been able to ris
In programs given by the various lat
posts serve as other examples of ed
cooperation between the two or l9l
From coaching the chorus del
a minstrel show TO the arrangement SCI
an entire evening, orchestra to l9l
the Community Service arr
have willingly put themselves to
the beck and call of the Legion. In jor
ckensack. New Jersey, the oppor- |
ity of helping In q musical enter ser
1ment led to the possibility of form risl
a glee club Of the Legion men; and wa
colored post of Englewood, New Am
sey. has asked the help of Com the
nifty Service in arranging a years ser
gram Of activities. The community wor
neil of Chelsea. Michigan, is CO. ex-.
with the Legion in conduct \
two weekly dancing classes. fol She
ed by a community dance. The hea
club rooms in Houston, Texas, hea
e renovated and redecorated with for
help of Community Service. sigr
many places the Community Sery- his