American Legion Post 853

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919. Borrego Springs Post 853 began service in 1998. As a nonprofit organization, all funds are dedicated to programs and support for veterans, their families and community.

The Post is comprised of three groups: The American Legion (Legion) - only veterans of wars and conflicts specified by Congress; the American Legion Auxiliary (Auxiliary) - male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted female descendants of Legion members; Sons of the American Legion (SAL) - sons and adopted sons of Legion members.

Annually, each group elects a body of officers to guide them through the fiscal year. The officers and members of these four groups work together to raise funds for veterans and our community programs. These programs are the ties that bind, creating a service family who enjoy camaraderie (and all the emotions that go with being a family) while supporting veterans and our community.

Finances are raised through donations, fundraisers, membership dues, and ongoing activities such as the Bargain Barn and the glass/can recycling program. When you attend a fundraiser, such as Wednesday night burgers or Saturday dinners, the meal and hospitality are provided 100% by volunteers.

After expenses, all profits are used to support programs such as:
Borrego Springs Boys & Girls Club
Borrego Springs Elementary and Middle School Awards, High School Scholarships
Borrego Springs Little League
Borrego Springs Performing Arts, Children
Borrego Springs Rams Booster Club
Borrego Springs Senior Center
Borrego Springs Student of the Month
Christmas Circle Community Park
Christmas Toys for Borrego Springs
Fisher House
Gary Sinisi Foundation
Pegasus Rising (PTSD program)
Pets for Vets
Poppy Program (disabled and hospitalized veterans)
San Diego Veterans Hospital
San Diego Veterans Stand Down/Veterans Village
Warrior Expeditions
(for brevity, this is not a complete list)

In addition, on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Post 853 honors our military men and women by holding a ceremony at Christmas Circle. Upon request, members of the Post provide military funeral honors for veterans. You may have noticed flags flying along Palm Canyon Drive and around Christmas Circle. Volunteers post these flags for national observances such as July 4th. By the way, you can purchase flags at the Post.