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American Legion presents ‘Be The 1’ outreach card and online resource to Leland council
Summary
John Hacker of American Legion Post 68 described Be The 1, a veteran suicide‑prevention outreach tool that uses tap‑to‑phone cards linked to a resource directory; he asked the council to support getting cards into police, fire and service providers.
John Hacker, 1st vice commander of American Legion Post 68, presented the Be The 1 suicide‑prevention initiative at the Leland Town Council meeting and described a small physical card and a linked online resource meant to help first responders and service providers connect veterans and others in crisis to local resources.
Hacker said the program supplements an informational handbook by providing a tap‑to‑phone card (Be The 1 card) that links users to a mobile resource directory labeled “Be The 1 Connects.” The directory, he said, currently lists roughly 60 local providers spanning food assistance, housing, employment, addiction services and other supports; Hacker said the rollout team plans to add more organizations. Hacker said he has produced about 2,000 cards to distribute to first responders, service providers and community partners and that the program has worked with organizations including Brunswick Family Assistance, the American Red Cross and United Way.
Council members thanked Hacker for the presentation. One council member asked whether staff could help coordinate getting the cards to Leland Police and Fire; Hacker said the American Legion had discussed the program with local law enforcement and planned a Be The 1 rollout meeting on Feb. 11 at Brunswick Community College’s Leland campus. Hacker also requested the council’s support in outreach and in arranging presentations to police and fire departments.
Council did not vote on any specific measures regarding the program at the meeting. Staff and the applicant discussed coordinating an informational presentation for departments and the council asked staff to follow up on the logistics of distribution if the council opts to help coordinate.
