American Legion fundraiser to send girl to Empire Girls State program

Help send an exceptional West Islip High School girl to a prestigious educational program by attending an Afternoon at the Races!

West Islip Unit 1738 American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) will be hosting the Afternoon at the Races fundraiser on Sunday, March 3, at 2 p.m. The event will be held at Unit 1738’s American Legion Hall, located at 340 Union Boulevard in West Islip. Attendees can expect to be delighted by a race of wooden horses, buffet, dessert, beer, wine, and coffee, all included in the $25 per-person ticket cost.

Proceeds from Post 1738’s annual Afternoon at the Races are used to send a West Islip resident in her junior year of high school to the American Legion Auxiliary’s Empire Girls State program.

ALA Empire Girls State is a weeklong educational program of spirited, experiential learning, developed from the concept that youth should be offered a better perspective of the practical operation of government. Qualified high school juniors participate in a 51st mythical state in which much excitement and political maneuvering comes about as they get acquainted, hold their caucuses, and elect party leaders and other officials.

“The students come as strangers and leave as friends, with a deeper understanding of government, a renewed sense of patriotism, and an appreciation for veterans,” shared Terri Wallace, ALA Empire Girls State chairperson.

This year, the 2024 ALA Empire Girls State will be held from Sunday, June 30, through Saturday, July 6, at SUNY Brockport. The guidance department from West Islip High School recommends six girls for the program, and following interviews, ALA Unit 1738 chooses one lucky student and one alternate to be sent as the West Islip representative.

“They come back and are just elated,” shared Nora Crumlish, president of Unit 1738 ALA. “All we ask them is to give us a presentation at the men’s meeting in October, where they tell them about their experience.”

Come to the Afternoon at the Races on Sunday March, 3, to help a local student take part in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!