American Legion - FY26 Funding Request

Kellis-Draper
American Legion
Post 12

Veteran Stand Down
Event Committee

176 N Frontier St
Wickenburg, AZ 85390
928-684-7762

wickenburgveteranstanddown@gmail.com

07 October 2025

Dear Honorable Mayor Bratcher and Council Members,

On behalf of the Kellis-Draper American Legion Post 12, | am writing to
request the Town of Wickenburg to sponsor our annual Wickenburg
Veterans Stand Down event.

As we enter our 4th year, the Wickenburg Veterans Stand Down
continues to grow with the number of veterans in attendance, the
number of veterans served and the number of event participants e.g.
State agencies and non-profits. Additional details of our sponsorship
request are attached.

In addition, we will offer the advertisement of the Town of Wickenburg’s
sponsorship through logo placement on our event flyer, public
acknowledgments at our event and through the Wickenburg Sun and
Yavapai County’s YellowSheet, through the Phoenix VA media and
communications department and through social media. If you would like
to discuss this partnership further, please contact me via email
wickenburgveteranstanddown@gmail.com or via phone 602-777-1555.
The Kellis-Draper American Legion Post 12 would greatly appreciate the
Town's support in helping us grow and continue to host this annual event
and as always, SUPPORT OUR VETERANS!

Sincerely,

Crystal Mandoka

American Legion Post 12

Sr. Vice Commander

Wickenburg Stand Down Director

What is your funding request?

Include the total amount requested and a brief cost breakdown. Eligible
proposals may include community services that benefit Wickenburg
residents or economic development efforts that support tourism, local
businesses, or increased sales tax revenue. All proposals must serve a
clear public purpose and provide proportional value to the town.

Kellis-Draper American Legion Post 12 AZ requests $850.00 to cover essential
expenses for the 2026 Wickenburg Veterans Stand Down which will be held on
Saturday January 17, 2026 from 10am-2pm. Funds will support Arizona Rangers who
will provide security for our event, portable toilets and town related rentals and services
to include barricades, trash cans, and banner hanging fee. The funding will ensure that
these services are in place to support the safety and operation of our event.

Purpose of the funding request:

Provide a concise summary of how the funds will be used. What direct
services or benefits will be provided to the Town of Wickenburg or its
residents in exchange for the funding?

The funds requested will be directly used for the 4th Annual Wickenburg Veterans Stand
Down. This event provides direct services to veterans of Wickenburg and to several
surrounding rural towns throughout Maricopa and Yavapai County. The Arizona
Rangers, portable toilets, and town barricades will ensure that our event is safe,
secured, well managed and successful. The Wickenburg Veterans Stand Down brings
in around 300 total participants, to include employees from the Phoenix and Prescott VA
hospital, VA benefits administration, various non-profits, volunteers and of course our
most important- The Veterans! This event will continue to grow, as it has every year, and
will continue to provide necessary services to our most vulnerable veterans as we
continue to limit the risk of veteran homelessness, mental instability and increase
financial security.

What is the anticipated start and end date of the project? Is this a new
project or program?

This is not a new event as it will be entering its 4th year. This is a one day event taking
place on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 10am-2pm.

Brief overview of your organization:
Describe your agency’s mission, programs, services, and how your work
impacts the Wickenburg community.

The Kellis-Draper American Legion Post 12 follows and adheres to the 4 pillars of the
American Legion.
1. Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation- supports veterans with benefits and
healthcare.
2. National Security- focused on strong national defense and military well-being
3. Americanism- promoting patriotism, civic duty, and the values of the nation
4. Children and Youth- dedicated to supporting the health, safety and development
of young people.
By hosting a Veterans Stand Down we are bringing in local and rural veterans and
community engagement. The services provided at our event directly impact the
veterans of Wickenburg and give community organizations the ability to participate and
have direct contact with the local veterans.

Alignment with Town priorities

Which of the Town of Wickenburg’s Strategic Priorities does your program align
with? (Reference all that apply and explain how your project supports each
selected area.)

Fiscal Sustainability

Explanation: The Wickenburg Stand Down will help the town sustain, create and pursue
opportunities for collaboration and regional partnerships to maximize resources and
address local issues. Our event maximizes the opportunity to create partnerships
between veterans, community organizations and federal resources with the Town of
Wickenburg.

Safe and Sustainable Quality of Life

Explanation: Our event provides a safe and secure space for veterans to receive the
services they need and for community organizations to come and engage with the
veterans and community which in return provides the veterans with a better quality of
life. Our event also promotes The Town of Wickenburg as a safe place that welcomes
all and supports their veteran community.

Innovative and High-Performing Organization

By collaborating with local organizations and veterans the Kellis-Draper American
Legion demonstrates innovative event planning and effective community engagement
practices.

Economic Growth

By hosting the Wickenburg Stand Down, we attract veterans from outside of the
Wickenburg area, this gives a boost in revenue and services to the local business thus
supporting the town's economic growth objectives. Through services provided by the VA
and VA benefits coordinators some veterans receive monetary benefits that are
provided to them throughout the year which also supports the economic growth of
Wickenburg.

Experience, Collaboration, and Capacity

Describe your organization’s experience in implementing similar projects
or programs

The Kellis-draper American Legion Post 12 has experience in planning and operating
the Wickenburg Veterans Stand Down for the past three years as well as creating and
operating the first Wickenburg American Legion youth baseball team.

Does your organization collaborate or coordinate with other
nonprofits, government agencies, or community partners on this
effort? If yes, please list the partners and describe their roles:

Yes,the Kellis-Draper American Legion Post 12 works closely with the following:

1. Phoenix VA Hospital and the VA benefits administration department to ensure
that all the necessary programs and services are available to the veterans at the
Stand Down. These services include but are not limited to- Enrollment and
eligibility, Disability Benefits, Mental Health support, Heaith
screenings/Immunizations, Homeless programs, and Community Care.

2. Maricopa and Yavapai Courts, to include Veterans Treatment Court to provide
onsite legal services to veterans.

3. Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs- to provide veteran services and
education to all veterans, and to provide onsite assistance with veterans benefits
alongside the Phoenix VA hospital.

4. Region One Veterans Support Office- this is a Veterans service organization that
operates out of Wickenburg and serves towns all the way from Morristown to
Aguila to Bagdad and all in between. They provide veterans with financial
assistance, housing, and assist with VA disability claims and much more.

5. A variety of local community organizations and non-profits- to provide an
opportunity to engage with veterans and provide services and resources.

6. The Town of Wickenburg- for road closures, town equipment rentals; and with
focal vendors to provide portable toilets.

7. Arizona Rangers- to provide security for our event and a safe place for our

veterans and event participanis.

8. Department of Arizona American Legion- for allowing the Kellis-Draper American
Legion Post 12 to host, organize, and operate this event, and by providing
veterans support.

Budget and Funding

Estimated Total Program Cost: $10,350.00

Please list all current and anticipated funding sources for this program
using the chart below (attach additional sheets if needed):

Funding Source

Status

Percentage of

(Federal, State, Funding Source Amount | (Pending/Secured/l | Total Actual Cost
County/Local, Name n-Kind)
Private, Other)
Private NewDay USA $7,500 Pending
State Arizona Department | $2,000 Pending
of Veterans Services
Local (Government) | Town of Wickenburg $850 Pending

Tota 1 Antich Weal del

T ptal Ant ticipated | Funding Het $10,350

ign inst Project Cost || $10,360 100%
Selenard sn berets wiv f ¢ eed 21 2 HEM , y
pil] PSP Tes Pea NIE

FundingRequest || || 8850

Provide an overview of the funds received from the Town of Wickenburg,
focusing on the fast five years.

This is the first time that the Kellis-Draper American Legion Post 12 is asking for
financial support from the Town of Wickenburg.

If your organization is not awarded 100% of the requested amount,
how will you address the funding shortfall? Is your project contingent
upon receiving these additional funds?

Our event is not contingent upon receiving the funds. Without these funds we
experience a shortfall in the overall budget for the event and we will have to re-organize
and delegate our funds differently in order to maximize the success of the event. This
means we may have to eliminate some of our expenses that directly support our
veterans. We will continue the progression of our event by reaching out to other
organizations that provide funding for veteran events.

Describe how the values of the services to be provided equals or
exceeds the funding amount. Include cost per resident or unit of
service, if possible.

With a funding request of $850.00, we will be able to cover the total amount due to the
Arizona Rangers for providing security for our event, the cost of portable toilets and the
cost due to the Town of Wickenburg for barricades, trash cans, and banner fee. Our
event not only brings veterans to Wickenburg but also their families. This will promote
the support that the Town of Wickenburg has for our veterans, bring in veterans from
outside of Wickenburg and Maricopa County, and boost the revenue of local
businesses. This event also strengthens the working relationship between the Town of
Wickenburg and the American Legion.

Provide an anticipated time frame for the funding requests to
increase, decrease, or cease as it relates to the organization's
long-term financial goals.

As a nonprofit organization, the Kellis-Draper American Legion Post 12 relies solely on
outside funding in order to host and create the Wickenburg Veterans Stand Down which
ensures the long-term sustainability of the event. The American Legion Post 12 does
anticipate a decrease in access to funding for veterans and veteran events. With the
changing economy, the yearly budget for veterans and veteran services are not
concrete and can change at any time. While the American Legion Post 12’s long-term
financial goals continue to grow in numbers to accommodate the amount of veterans
served, funding through grants and outside resources remains critical to event
operation.

Measuring Impact

How will you measure success for this program or project?
Provide at least one but up to three measurable outcomes. Each outcome should
include a specific result, a timeframe, and a measurable target.

Outcome 1: Wickenburg Veterans Stand Down

Timeframe: January 17, 2026

Target: Wickenburg veterans, Rural veterans-to include Maricopa and Yavapai county
rural residents

Measurement Method: Registration records, in person surveys, and event metrics given
to us by the Phoenix VA Hospital and the VA benefits administration and event metrics
done by the Wickenburg Stand Down team.