10/26/2026
American Legion Post 401 and Ken Patterson Honored With 2026 Making A Difference Awards
Ken Patterson received the individual 2026 Fran Leavenworth Making A Difference Award and 🌠American Legion Post 401 member representatives from the Post, House, Auxiliary and Sons received the organization Making A Difference Award at the 5th annual Making A Difference Dinner at the Parkview Dugan House Restaurant Saturday evening, October 24. The award is given annually on National Make A Difference Day, the largest national day dedicated to doing good works, by the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation to individuals and organizations who have performed significant and exemplary community service in memory of former Tioga County Legislative Chair and leader in state and local human and social service, 🌠Fran Leavenworth. It was a special evening to honor the eight decades of community service by Post 401 dating back to the mid 1940's when the American Legion Post 401 took up residence at 263 Front Street, the former home of the Robert V.R. and Harriet Bassett Family. Over the many years since the end of World War II, American Legion Post 401 has provided a wide range of vital services supporting veterans and their families including an ambulance service for the Owego community. Over seventy outstanding community veterans have served as commander of Post 401. This year a second individual Making A Difference Award was presented to current Post Commander 🌠Ken Patterson for his eight years of Post 401 Command leadership. Bob Bassett, founder of the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation, presented the awards and emphasized the importance and need for servant leadership to unite community and bring people together today more than ever. "As a true servant leader like Fran Leavenworth, Ken Patterson has made his focus and priority to build a healthy supportive community for Veterans and their families." In addition, Post 401 provides financial support to community causes and organizations serving veterans and youth, hosts community dinners, breakfasts, reunions, and other events which help build a sense of community. Fellow Post 401 members and representatives including the Riders attending the dinner received equal recognition for their committed teamwork in sustaining Post 401's mission and programs. 🌠Tina Barber, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for South Central New York based in Binghamton which serves Tioga County, announced the creation of a new💥 Commanders Fund which will honor current and past Commanders of Post 401 and offer scholarships and youth development grants each year. Since 1919, The American Legion has operated with a clear and enduring purpose: to serve those who have served, strengthen the nation, and uphold the values that define American democracy. That purpose is built on four foundational pillars: 💥Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, 💥National Security, 💥Americanism, and💥 Children & Youth. 🌠Colleen and David Dewey-Wright, Board members of the CHB Youth Foundation, read Maya Angelou’s poem, “Continue” in closing the dinner program inspiring those in attendance to sustain their ♥good works benefiting the community.💥
