What has your post or department accomplished this past year that deserves recognition?
—from the AMVETS Programs Manual

The following awards are offered each year:

•   Best Post
•   The Robert Gomulinski Community Service Award - $1,000
•   The Ted Leszkiewicz AADAA Award - $500 (3 Posts)
•   Best Post and Department    
•   Americanism Awards - $1,000 Post and $1,500 Department
•   Special Olympics Awards - $1,000 Post and $1,500 Department
•   Best Department
•   The Paul Welsh Community Service Award - $1,500
•   AMVETS ROTC Award - $1,500

The due date for submissions is july 1st each year and the winners are announced at the annual convention.
As we strive to increase the number of posts and departments that submit entries each year, often questions arise for clarification on the requirements. In addition to the general information provided in the Programs Manual we offer the following to clarify and encourage your Post and/or Department to take the plunge. You owe it to your members to submit an entry for at least one of the Awards. It is a source of recognition for their hard work just to enter the competition. 
Information in the Programs Manual states, “entries may be submitted in the form of a scrapbook, a report, or any other suitable presentation.” The independent judges have a very difficult time in making their selections because of the wide range of submissions, both in content and format. In past years, judges have had to select an Americanism winner between scrapbooks (either compiled on one event or compiled on an entire year’s activities), a video presentation and a report in “outline” format. Now that’s a challenge!

Entries for all of the National Awards must now be submitted in this format.
A “presentation” notebook in a three-ring binder. (This is not just a scrapbook of all your post/department activities throughout the year.) It must have a minimum of four (4) tabs and sections:
1. Award Category: (Americanism, Community Service, ROTC, Special Olympics, and AADAA): What was the ultimate goal of the project? What did you want/plan to do?
  2. Description: Describe the project in non-technical terms. How did  you accomplish your objective and what were your results?
 3. Resources: (people, equipment, material, locations, support)
  4. Documentation: (photographs, proclamations, letters of endorsement, letters of appreciation, newspaper clippings, videos)
The focus should not be on “one” major event in the category you have selected to enter. The award, per category, is being judged on what your post/department has accomplished throughout the year. For example, four solid projects spread throughout the year involving 100 veterans, students or citizens at each event is generally going to provide more service and ultimate impact in the community then one major event that involved 200 people.
You may submit for more than one award category, however, each requires a separate presentation binder.

Examples of the types of activities for each of the five different award categories. Examples only, these are not all-inclusive.
Americanism

1. Conducting the Americanism Essay & Poster contests in schools throughout your community and/or through churches, scout organizations or any youth group.
2. Participating in patriotic parades such as the 4th of July, Memorial Day.
3. Conducting/hosting special ceremonies on Armed Forces Day and other  significant military dates/observances.

1. Conduct Flag Retirement ceremonies.
2. Military Funeral Honor Guards.

ROTC

1. Secure funds for the AMVETS JROTC & ROTC medal program at all schools offering these programs in your area and arrange for presentations and publicity.

Special Olympics

1. Provide financial sponsorship for one or more special Olympians.
2. Provide volunteers to staff Special Olympic events.
3. Secure training and serve as mentors and coaches for individual Special Olympians.

AADAA

1. Conduct the AADAA poster art, poem or story contest in schools throughout your community and/or through churches, scout organizations or any youth group.
2. Using existing community resources facilitate the establishment of drug and alcohol awareness centers.
3. Provide AMVETS facilities for community organizations conducting drug and alcohol programs.

Community Service
(Other than activities/events represented in the above categories.)

• Organize a post or Department AMVETS Operation DVD campaign.
• Seek out local opportunities to support and assist the families of our active duty, reserve and guard components.
• Conduct regular blood drives on behalf of Armed Services Blood Program or your local Red Cross chapters.
• Conduct or assist in staffing Stand Downs for Homeless Veterans.
• Conduct Safe Driving programs for local youth.
• Conduct Care Bear programs with local police agencies.
• Conduct holiday parties for needy or sick children in your community.
• Conduct clothing and food drives for local shelters.
• Charter and support local Boy Scout units.  
• Collect for the Marine’s Toys for Tots program.
• Support Meals on Wheels programs.
• White Clover Sales.
• Fund raisers for local and/or national charities.
  
  For The Silver Helmet Award Click Here
  
  
  
  

Download Award Application

Entries for all of the National Awards must now be submitted in  this format

Silver Helmet Award