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Florida’s annual Children & Youth Picnic draws Legion Family members from across the state, promoting the Legion’s youth programs while raising funds for Department Commander Jessica Moore’s special charity.

For more than a decade, American Legion Post 117 in Palm Bay has served as the primary host for the American Legion Department of Florida Children & Youth Picnic to promote Children & Youth Month.

And for Post 117 member and immediate Past Department of Florida Commander Chris Hamrick, the event itself – and the Legion’s Children & Youth programs – has become a passion. And for good reason.

Hamrick, who took over as Department Children & Youth chairman in late January when the previous chairman had to step down for health reasons, is raising his grandchildren and has been doing so for years.

“They’ve been (Sons of 91Ӱ���ƽ��) and (American Legion) Auxiliary members since they took their first breath,” Hamrick said. “They’ve been involved in our programs all the way through. Unit 117 has the largest Juniors program in the Department of Florida. They really stay active, so we integrate the Juniors.

“So Children & Youth is near and dear to my heart. Always has been. We have a lot of great programs … across the four pillars. It’s about education, citizenship and patriotism and all that. Building future leaders. It’s an investment in the future.”

The picnic has two purposes, one as a fundraiser through 50-50 drawings and raffles for baskets – some from Legion Family members from all over Florida – that goes to Department of Florida Commander Jessica Moore’s charity of choice, Special Olympics of Florida. This year’s event was a big success, raising more than $19,000.

Moore attended the picnic, along with Florida Sons of 91Ӱ���ƽ�� Detachment Commander Michael Nigbor and Auxiliary Department President Robin Burk.

But the event also is a celebration of Children & Youth Month, as well as the Month of the Military Child. There were carnival games for children to play, as well as food and live music.

Members of Unit 117’s Juniors made cards and gift bags for Honor Flight participants and also performed the , which was inspired by the POW/MIA Ceremony to honor the sacrifices and contributions of our military children.

Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, read a proclamation, and the event also included a Legion Riders poker run.

Hamrick said Legion Family members came from all over the state, including Jacksonville (180 miles away), Naples (211), Lake City (226) and Tallahassee (329).

Hamrick said the entire effort is only possible with assistance from the Riders, the Sons of 91Ӱ���ƽ�� and the American Legion Auxiliary. “We do it as a family event. Everybody was involved,” he said, specifically referencing Unit 117 President MaryAnn Spellman. “Without her, there’s no way this could happen.”

Hamrick said events like the picnic and the Legion’s various youth programs are critical for teaching values at an early age. “The children are our future. If we’re not educating them, we’re going to be in some serious shape in a few years,” he said. “It’s just important to keep our kids active, involved and knowledgeable, appreciative of veterans and the simple customs and traditions of being a patriot. Without that, we’re just about one or two generations away from turmoil. That’s just my own opinion.”