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Over the 68 years of its existence, the Legion has funded over $1,400,000.00 of charitable and cultural projects in Chicago, the United States, Poland, and everywhere in the world where there has been a need to aid Poles and promote Polish culture. Over the years, educational and related institutions and activities have been the main recipients of the Legion’s largesse. Universities, colleges and schools here and in Poland have received almost $250,000. The Legion established the Chair of Polish Language and Literature at the University of Chicago, which now is the Maria Kuncewicz Endowment. Donations to various scholarship founds here and abroad totaled over $220,000; publications and scholarly conferences received almost $100,000, with a similar amount given for promotions of various Polish cultural events with Milwaukee and Chicago metropolitan area museums and various exhibitions receiving about $120,000. The Polish American Congress charitable endeavors received over $80,000 and the Copernicus Foundation received over $60,000. The Polish American Immigration and Relief Committee received over $50,000, and various Chicago area Polish Language Saturday Schools received funding as well.
Through the 1980s, the Legion purchased, packed and sent basic medical supplies directly to a few small hospitals and clinics in Poland that were being bypassed by large institutional donors from abroad.
The Legion continues to support the Pope John Paul II Foundation, the Polish Youth Association of Illinois (Harcerstwo), the Ronald McDonald House at Comer Children’s Hospital, the Home Army/AK Foundation and to the Polish American Association (formerly The Polish Welfare Association). The Legion has made contributions to the American Cancer Society, Project Hope, the Arthritis Foundation, the Leukemia Society of America, the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, WTTW Channel 11 Broadcasting, Tsunami and Hurricane relief efforts, military families relief, and various Chicago community funds.
The work of the Legion cannot be done without the effort and dedication of its members, who volunteer their time and expertise. Sending food and clothing to Polish prisoners of war (POWS) during the World War II required not only fund raising skills, but, also, the ability to research what was needed and where it should be sent. Similar skills were required 50 years later in the Medical Supplies for Poland Project. The annual White and Red Ball, the Legion’s main fundraiser, involves over 50 volunteers working for six months at various jobs that range from writing and proofreading copy, stuffing envelopes and evaluating contracts. All skills are utilized in the work of the Legion.
Our members have various educational and life-experience backgrounds but share a love for Polish culture and traditions. Every year, members of the Legion and past debutantes spent countless hours learning how to dance the Polonaise and the Mazur and are then showcased during the White and Red Ball
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