irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $5KScholarships Awarded to High School Seniors
- #2 $13KDonations to various Community Organizations
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Auxiliary Rummage Sale
Fundraising event organized by the American Legion Auxiliary to support veterans' needs through the sale of donated goods.
Community Day Parade
Annual parade participation celebrating national and local milestones, including the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 175th anniversary of West Seneca.
Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
Joint veterans' event honoring fallen service members, featuring a parade, speeches, rifle squad, and public reception at the post.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony
Annual memorial event honoring veterans and service members who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, featuring guest speakers, a three-volley salute, and the playing of Taps.
School Flag Day Ceremonies
Participation in local elementary school events where the Color Guard presents the flag, leads the Pledge of Allegiance, and supports patriotic education among youth.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Memorial and Veteran Honor Services 5 activities
- Advocate for Americanism and constitutional valuesPromotes patriotism, Americanism, and civic responsibility by organizing descendants of veterans, defending the U.S. Constitution, preserving military heritage, and receiving recognition such as the Americanism Citation for Most Outstanding District Award.
- Facilitate proper flag etiquette and disposalProvides replacement U.S. flags to community members and conducts an annual flag burning ceremony on Flag Day to ensure dignified retirement of worn or damaged flags.
- Host community events and ceremonies honoring military serviceOrganizes and hosts annual commemorative events including Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Walkway of Freedom and Post 735, featuring flag tributes, musical honors such as "Taps," and Three-Volley Salutes to honor fallen service members.
- Participate in parades and public patriotic displaysEngages in regular public visibility through participation in local parades such as West Seneca Community Days, Strykersville Parade, Independence Day, and Erie County Veterans Parades, often involving Color Guard units, marching auxiliaries, and ceremonial flags.
- Support military families and service members through symbolic and logistical actsDistributes Blue Star Service Flags to families with active-duty members, escorts military units to and from deployment sites, participates in funeral honors to protect the dignity of services, and conducts cross-country fundraising rides such as the American Legion Legacy Run to support wounded warriors.
-
-
Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Award scholarships to high school studentsProvides financial support to high school seniors through named scholarship programs, including the Harry H. Johnson Memorial Scholarship and Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) scholarships, with awards totaling $1,500 and $500 in 2026.
-
-
Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Host recurring social and fundraising events at the PostOperates regular weekly events including fish fries on Fridays, Thursday BBQs, live music performances, karaoke nights, and special dinners such as pork chop night, serving members and the public at reduced prices to foster community engagement and raise funds.
-
-
Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Offer hall rental services to members and affiliated postsMakes its facilities available for rent to members at $100 per event and to members of other American Legion posts for $250, including a $100 refundable deposit.
-
-
Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Provide youth leadership and civic education programsRuns a youth program that includes model government elections, educational assemblies with government and military officials, athletic competitions in basketball, softball, volleyball, track, and tennis, and support for extracurricular activities like band, chorus, newspaper, and media projects.
-
-
Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
- Raise funds for veterans and community causesOrganizes and participates in motorcycle runs and other fundraising events to collect donations for VA hospitals, youth programs, schools, women and children’s centers, and other charitable organizations.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$195K
Contributions & grants$18K9%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$650%
Other revenue$177K
expenses
Total expenses$210K
Program expenses16%
Admin / overhead84%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$71K
Grants paid out$18K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$414K
Cash$291K
Investments$0
Liabilities$7K
Net assets$407K
Liquid reserves16.6 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -12.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 7
- Dale Wight — Director
- Dennis Kessler — Director
- Donald Bucheker — Director
- Edward Tyczka — Director
- Harold C Wohlfeil — Director
- Louis Pawlowski — Director
- Steve Blake — Director
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- 82nd Airborne Association Partner — Participated alongside American Legion Post 735 in the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony.
- American Legion Network — Post 735 operates as a unit under The American Legion, adopting its principles and structure.
- American Legion Auxiliary Network — Includes members from the American Legion Auxiliary as part of the Riders chapter.
- American Legion National Headquarters Government — Handles distribution of membership dues notices for Post 735.
- American Legion Post 735 Network — Auxiliary unit affiliated with American Legion Post 735 to support its mission and activities.
- Amvets Post #8113 Partner — Participated in the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony and Memorial Day Parade with Post 735.
- Auxiliary Partner — Purchased a glass case for the POW table and collaborates on Post events and meetings.
- Edward Tyczka Partner — Color Guard Lieutenant for American Legion Post 735
- Marine Corps League, Detachment 239 Partner — Joined Post 735 in the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony.
- Mark McMahon Partner — Color Guard Captain for American Legion Post 735
- McKinley High School JROTC Partner — Provides guest speakers and participates in events with the JROTC program to promote leadership and values.
- Navy Seabees, Island X-5 Partner — Participated in the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony with Post 735.
- New York State Police Partner — Provides demonstrations and educational talks as part of the Boys' State program.
- Sons of The American Legion Network — Includes members from the Sons of The American Legion as part of the Riders chapter.
- Sons of The American Legion (SAL) Partner — Collaborates on events such as the Post picnic and handles membership renewals and communications.
- Sons of the American Legion Network — Administers S.A.L. Awards in conjunction with American Legion Post 735.
- The American Legion Network — Post 735 Riders chapter operates as a program under The American Legion, adhering to national guidelines and principles.
- Tony's Catering Partner — Provides catering services for weekly fish fry dinners at Post 735.
- Tony’s Catering Partner — Provides food services for Friday Fish Fry dinners and other Post events.
- Town of West Seneca Government — Provided picnic tables and garbage cans for the Post family picnic through its Buildings and Grounds and Highway Departments.
- Veteran Tickets Foundation Partner — Collaborates to provide free and discounted event tickets to military members, veterans, and their families as a form of appreciation and reintegration support.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW Post #8113 Partner — Attended the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony alongside Post 735.
- West Seneca Joint Veterans Committee Partner — Collaborates on hosting the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony.
- West Seneca Veterans Committee Partner — Collaborated on the unveiling of a bronze plaque honoring Gold Star Mothers at the Veterans Day Ceremony.
- post735baseball.org Partner — Hosts news, schedules, and game analysis for the American Legion Post 735 baseball team.
- www.wsvets.org Partner — Shares information and coordinates on West Seneca veteran activities, events, and important dates.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Civic Engagement Through Veteran Comradeshipmethodology: civic-engagement-and-veteran-comradeshipBy fostering mutual support among veterans and promoting shared patriotic values, the organization strengthens community and national identity, believing that veteran solidarity is foundational to preserving democratic principles and civic responsibility.
- Grassroots Local Programming Modelmethodology: grassroots_programmingBy empowering local chapters to design and manage their own programs, the organization increases relevance and responsiveness to community needs, because locally-led initiatives are more attuned to the specific contexts of veterans and civilians they serve.
- Mentor-Guided Civic Leadership Developmentmethodology: mentor-guided leadership developmentBy pairing participants with mentors from military, legal, educational, and public service backgrounds, the organization cultivates leadership and civic education, because lived experience and professional guidance increase engagement and personal investment in democratic participation.