About us

For greater definition of Post 197 Veteran and Community Programs, Annual Volunteer Hours and Veteran and Community Committed Funds - Click HERE!

The Pike County American Legion Post 197 is an incorporated Veteran member non-profit Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(19) organization with an Employer Identification Number (EIN) of 58-6068002. The IRC 501(c) includes two
subsections, 501(c)(19) and 501(c)(23), which provide for tax-exemption under Section 501(a) for organizations that benefit Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Veteran organizations occupy a special place in the world of exempt organizations. The IRC 501(c)(19) provides for the tax-exempt status of qualifying Veterans’ organizations and their related auxiliaries that are organized in the United States or any of its possessions. Under IRC 501(c)(19), a Veterans’ organization is permitted to conduct both social welfare activities, and social and recreational activities among its members without adversely affecting its tax-exempt status.

The population served are Veterans, Veteran’s families, active military, and adult and youth of the community. This includes Veterans who have problems with alcohol and/or drug addiction; the financially, medically, mentally and physically disadvantaged, and disaster and homeless affected. There are approximately 1,500 Veterans in Pike County. All recognized minority groups are served within the American Legion and Post 197.

Post 197 is the only Veterans Organization in Pike County, therefore, when dealing with the county government or the community, the Post 197 Commander is the only representative for all Veterans within the County concerning Veteran issues. The Pike County American Legion Post 197 has an average annual membership of 90 members and their families that the Post serves. Post 197’s existence is supported mainly from small grants, fundraising events, and private donations. A portion of its income goes toward the costs of keeping our rented facility operational and for the administration of its Veteran and Community Programs. There are no paid members or staff. All Post activities and events are administered and managed by Volunteers to include our Post governing/managing Legionnaire officers and board of director
members. All the remaining funds go towards sustaining the Post’s American Legion
programs that support Veterans, their families, and the community.