Glamaour Era magazine Feb 2018 Glamaour Era Feb Edition | Page 23
When
I returned home from military service
in my early 20s," said Victoria Pridemore, a former truck
driver, battalion paralegal and division chief paralegal
in the U.S. Army, "I wasn't sure how I could serve my
community since I didn't have the means to donate
monetary gifts to any organization. I realized I could
have an impact on my community just through my actions
and donating my time." In 2012, Pridemore founded
ALA Unit 1 in Washington, D.C., to help serve veterans
and families in that area.
Now serving as president of the American Legion
Auxiliary unit, Pridemore, 33, works with local
community organizations to plan monthly volunteer
events for ALA members and non-members in the area.
Their local activities range from cleaning the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Wall to holding a holiday drive for
donations for inpatient veterans to send gifts to their
family members. In 2016, ALA Unit 1 helped almost 200
veterans in the D.C. area.
While Sarah Brooks recently received a lifetime
achievement award from the ALA for her 59-year
commitment to service, Pridemore reminds us that there is
no "small" act of kindness and service. "Every give-back
moment is an opportunity to have a real impact," she said.
"A touch, a smile, just a brief conversation can make a
difference in someone's day.
"And, when a group of people do come together for a day
of real service, it's so fulīlling," Pridemore said. "That is
why I believe so strongly in the ALA's mission 'In the spirit
of Service Not Self.'"
Pridemore and Brooks agree that all it takes is a few
hours and a heartfelt commitment to caring to help
change someone's life. To learn how to get involved and
volunteer, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.