October 20, 2026
FROM BELMONT AMERICAN LEGION AUX UNIT 808 PRESIDENT, SHANNON HARDING: Honor Our Service Members This Veterans Day—Help Bring Christmas to the Crew of the USS Jason L. Dunham. JUST 11 DAYS LEFT: Allegany County Community Rallies to Send 300 Christmas Care Packages to U.S. Navy Sailors. Local businesses, veteran-supporting employers, civic organizations, and residents are urgently needed to help meet the $10,500 shipping goal by October 31.
With Veterans Day approaching on November 11, the Allegany County community has an opportunity to show its gratitude to the men and women who serve our country by helping deliver a little piece of home to the sailors aboard the USS Jason L. Dunham (DDG 109) this Christmas.
Organized by Debra and Dan Dunham, with support from Shannon Harding, President of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 808, and the Belmont American Legion Family-Post 808, the campaign aims to send 300 Christmas care packages to the ship’s crew. The community has just 11 days remaining to reach its October 31 fundraising deadline.
Every Donation Brings Us Closer
As of October 20, the campaign has raised $3,675 toward its $10,500 shipping goal. That funding covers the shipping costs for 105 of the 300 care packages, leaving 195 boxes still to fund and $6,825 to go.
Shipping each box costs $35. While donations of supplies are welcome, financial contributions are urgently needed to help ensure all 300 packages can be shipped.
With Veterans Day just around the corner, this is a meaningful way to recognize the service and sacrifice of our military members. Veterans Day honors veterans across the country, and this Christmas effort offers a personal reminder to the sailors aboard the USS Jason L. Dunham that they are remembered, appreciated, and supported by the people back home.
Every donation—whether from a local business, corporate sponsor, civic organization, veteran-supporting employer, or individual—brings us one step closer to making Christmas brighter for these service members.
Local Students and Community Members Are Pitching In
The campaign is bringing together people of all ages to make the holidays special for the ship’s crew. Students from the Scio, Wellsville, and Genesee Valley Central Schools, Driving Donation Itemsand making cards.
Sculpture artist Eric Jones has also gone live to ask the community to support the cause, helping spread the word and encourage donations.
Businesses and Organizations: We Need Your Support!
Local businesses, corporate sponsors, civic organizations, and employers that support veterans are encouraged to contribute toward the remaining shipping costs or donate useful items for the care packages.Monetary sponsorships from those efforts will be listed in a sheet sent in the packages and on future posts in the https://www.facebook.com/BelmontLegion808
Suggested donations include quality socks, travel-size hygiene and personal-care products, baby wipes, beef jerky, protein bars, drink mixes, gum, non-chocolate candy, playing cards, puzzle books, and other practical items suitable for sailors.
As a thank-you, all donating businesses and organizations will be included on a recognition list sent to the ship’s crew and receive a shout-out on Allegany County Legion social media accounts. This is an opportunity to show your support for our military while demonstrating your organization’s commitment to the community.
Generous Sponsors Are Already Making a Difference
The campaign thanks the following sponsors for their contributions:
Allegany County SAL — $1,000
Wreaths Across America Belmont Legion Family Branch — $500
SAL Post 808, Belmont — $250
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 808, Belmont — $250
Belmont Legion Post 808 — $250
Angelica SAL Post 414, Angelica — $250
Catherine Schuyler Chapter NSDAR — $100
Allegany County American Legion — $100
These contributions are part of the overall $3,675 already raised along with individual sposorships. The organizers are grateful for this generosity and hope more businesses, organizations, and individuals will step forward to help close the remaining gap before the deadline.
How to Help
Financial donations
Goal: $10,500 for shipping 300 care packages
Cost to ship each box: $35
Checks payable to: American Legion Auxiliary Unit 808
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Donations of care-package items
Items can be dropped off at ANY ALLEGANY COUNTY LEGION POST.
To make a donation, arrange an item drop-off, or ask questions, contact:
Shannon Harding
President, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 808
Phone: 716-909-2601
Mail Checks to: 29 Schuyler St, Belmont, NY ATTN: Shannon Harding, ALA President
Financial donations can also be made using the campaign’s Venmo QR code @ALAUnIt808
Let’s Make Sure Our Sailors Know They Are Remembered
With Veterans Day approaching and Christmas on the horizon, the time to act is now. The organizers are asking Allegany County residents, businesses, civic groups, and veteran-supporting employers to help make this effort a success.
The goal is 300 care packages. The deadline is October 31. With only 11 days left, every dollar and every donation matters.
Together, our community can remind the sailors aboard the USS Jason L. Dunham that even when they are far from home, they are never forgotten.
Learn More about the story of Corporate Jason L. Dunham by watching the Documentary , “The Gift, Avaliable on Amazon and Apple TV
