The Department of Ohio is pleased to present the 2026-2027 4th Grade Flag Education Program. Below you will find the button to download the required Flag Education order form. All orders need to be received by Department NO LATER THAN MARCH 15, 2027. Tests can start being distributed to each School between when your local schools start classes for the year and MARCH 15, 2027. Testing needs to be completed by Posts/school no later than APRIL 1, 2027. Following the established deadline, you must arrange for the judging of the received Post certified submissions, to determine your Post level 4th Grade Flag Education program winners -one (1) boy and one (1) girl. Upon completion of the judging effort, you must complete the Post Certification form and submit it with the applicable associated test forms, to the District Children & Youth Chairperson. Post level 4th Grade Flag Education Certification forms and tests must be received by the District NO LATER THAN THE DATE DETERMINED BY THE DISTRICT. Upon receipt of a completed District 4th Grade Flag Education Winner Certification, the District will produce and distribute the necessary District Winner Certifications to the applicable District Children & Youth Chairperson, for presentation at the District Conference.

NOTICE! Post or District Certifications received after the established deadlines WILL BE CONSIDERED DISQUALIFIED!

FOUR STATEWIDE ANCHOR CAMPAIGNS

FALL — Adopt-a-School:

Build a sustained relationship with a school or youth organization and respond to an identified local need.

WINTER — Operation Holiday Hope:

Support children and families during the holiday and winter season.

SPRING — Military Children & Special Olympics Ohio:

Focus statewide attention on military-connected children and meaningful Special Olympics engagement.

SUMMER — Operation Back-to-School Ohio:

Prepare children, families, schools and teachers for the next school year.

Monthly themes supplement these four anchor campaigns; they are opportunities, not requirements.

ADOPT-A-SCHOOL

Fall 2026 Anchor Campaign

Adopt-a-School is the immediate Operation Ohio Kids launch fo­cus. The goal is to have a sustained relationship with a school or youth organization—not simply a one-time donation.

How to Start:

• Identify a nearby school or youth organization.
• Contact its leadership and request a brief meeting.
• Ask: “What do your children need that our Post can realistically help provide?”
• Select one achievable project.
• Recruit volunteers and community partners as needed.
• Complete the project, document results and maintain the rela­tionship.

Possible Projects:

• Mentoring or tutoring
• Winter coats/clothing
• Food-pantry assistance
• JROTC support
• Career-day participation
• Veterans in the Classroom
• Attendance or achievement incentives
• School-event volunteers
• Citizenship/Americanism activities

BUILDING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Posts are encouraged to listen first, learn what local children need, and then identify a meaningful project they can realisti­cally complete.

Ready-to-Use Partnership Letter:

Dear Community Partner,

On behalf of [POST NAME/NUMBER], we would like to introduce Operation Ohio Kids, a statewide Children & Youth initiative of The American Legion Department of Ohio. Its vision is simple: Every Post. Every Child. Every Community.

Our Post is seeking opportunities to support children and youth in our community through education, service, mentorship, school readiness, citizenship, and practical assistance. We would welcome an opportunity to learn about your organization’s needs and iden­tify a project where our Legionnaires can make a meaningful con­tribution.

Possible partnerships may include volunteer service, mentoring, youth activities, family support, school resources, Americanism programs, or another need identified by your organization. We be­lieve the strongest projects begin by listening to the community we serve.

We look forward to working together for Ohio’s children.

Sincerely,

[NAME / TITLE]

[POST NAME & NUMBER]

[CONTACT INFORMATION]

SPECIAL OLYMPICS OHIO

Spring Anchor Component

Posts are encouraged to support Special Olympics Ohio through meaningful local engagement.

• Volunteer at local or statewide events
• Support athletes and families
• Assist with event logistics
• Fundraise or provide in-kind support
• Explore Unified Sports opportunities
• Build an ongoing relationship with a local Special Olympics program
• Report volunteer hours, participation and impact

COMMUNICATIONS & STORYTELLING

Tell the Story of Veterans Continuing to Serve

Every project should capture the project name, partner, date, children served, volunteer hours, one or two strong photo­graphs, and a short description of the difference made.

Suggested Social Media Copy:

Operation Ohio Kids is putting service into action. [POST NAME/NUMBER] partnered with [PARTNER] to [PROJECT/ ACTION], serving [NUMBER] children in our community. Every Post. Every Child. Every Community. #OperationOhioKids

Statewide Storytelling

• Share successful Post projects regularly
• Highlight partnerships and volunteers
• Use measurable impact numbers
• Collect testimonials when appropriate
• Prepare a year-end statewide impact story