![The American Legion Post 75 held its first car show this year, with the goal of having two every year. The organization works to strengthen the Crestview community and local veterans. [File photo | News Bulletin]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-571315db-c4de-04fa-e053-0100007f7ff1-e37b2f89.jpeg)
Editor’s Note: This story is part of our Celebrate Community series on nonprofit organizations that improve North Okaloosa County residents’ quality of life.
CRESTVIEW — The Oscar E. Wilson American Legion Post 75 is a nonprofit that works to strengthen the Crestview community, promote patriotism and support veterans and their families.
The group's weekly events such as dinners and other fundraisers are used to provide scholarship money to area students, and take care of necessities for veterans and other area residents in need.
Some issues they've tackled recently in Crestview include:
•donating new picnic tables to a local nursing home.
•supporting annual Christmas toy runs and motorcycle drives.
•raising funds to repair a veteran's home.
•raising funds for families of ill or deceased veterans.
They are currently raising funds to build a home for a disabled veteran, Mark Benoit, the post's historian, said.
One of the annual programs the Crestview post participates in is the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Through the contest, high school students learn more about the U.S. Constitution, leadership, duties, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. Students who do well at the local levels progressively advance to the national American Legion contest.
The post also has a Young Marines program for youths age 8 through high school. The program focuses on developing discipline, mental, moral and physical strength among participants. Youths also learn about attention to duty, love of God, and fidelity to the U.S. and its institutions, according to the Post 75 website.
The Crestview organization also includes the The American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and the American Legion Riders (for motorcycle enthusiasts).
Visit http://www.alpost75.org, the Facebook page, or call 689-3195 for information on post membership or events.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: American Legion Post 75 helps local veterans