Hello Members,

Here’s hoping that everyone had a wonderful Christmas Holiday with your loved ones and that Santa was very good to you. I pray for a great New Year for you all and one that brings peace to our troubled world so that our soldiers may return home safely to us!!!!!

Our membership continues to grow every month and with each new member comes fresh new ideas making our great organization stronger than ever.

I can not even begin to express my sincere thanks to you who have devoted so much time and effort into all our endeavors these past few very busy months. From the bottom of my heart “Thank You” for all that you have done and continue to do. We have just about reached 100% on all of our programs making my job as President easy. I am so proud of you ladies.

Because of you members, combined with support from The Men’s Auxiliary and the Veterans we have been able to do many great things for our schools, community and by far the most important our reason for existing, our Veterans.

Very exciting news, we have just Adopted A Unit of 100 Army Soldiers currently serving in Iraq, The company is (E Co., 3-227th AHB LACB). One of the soldiers in this Unit is a 2003 Mexico Graduate, Joseph Jordal, son of Veteran Donald Jordal and Auxiliary Chaplain Sandy Coe. Anyone interested in helping out with this project can leave items in a drop box at the Post Canteen or make checks payable to VFW Post 369 Ladies Auxiliary and in memo earmark Adopt A Troop. Items that are popular for our soldiers are: Ziploc Bags all sizes , (Small) Foot Powder, Dental Products, Soap, Deodorant, Lotion, Eye Drops. Razors. Packets of Meds Expl: Aspirin, Tylenol, etc., AA Batteries, CD’s, Tissues, Fruit Snacks, Slim Jims, Beef Jerky, Nuts, Hard Candies, Paperback Books, Magazines, Cards, Low Cut Socks, Cards, Gum, Puzzles etc.

Dawn Rock is Chairman of this Project and we hope to send out our first package to the company in January. So far we have raised $2500.00 for this first shipment.

The Thanksgiving Pie Sale was a huge success with the proceeds of $241 going towards adopting two needy families from Mexico for Christmas. With help from our Veterans and Men’s Aux., $2000 was raised and supplied breakfast, dinner and presents for 9 children and 3 parents. Janice Gregory and Judy Greenway are chairmen of this project.

Twelve Auxiliary Sisters marched in The Christmas in Mexico Parade this year for the Community enjoyment. We were blessed with a nice day for the event and a good time was had by all. Sisters handed out small American Flags to the children.

We held our first Craft Show during the Christmas in Mexico this year at the high school cafeteria. Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Chili, Baked Goods were served and Tables were rented to Crafters. This was a great fundraiser with chairmen Linda Chamberlain and Sue Romanowski.

On Thursday the 17th, sisters Janice Gregory, Mary Reeser and Judy Greenway traveled to the Syracuse VA Hospital to attend the Annual Hospitalized Veterans Christmas Party.

We held a 50/50 Raffle on Veteran’s Day and raised $137.00 to go towards canteen books for gifts for our Veterans and donated $25. toward the food and goodies at the party. Several Auxiliaries showed up to put on this event.

We also donated from collection boxes in our canteen personal care items for our Veterans and homemade lap robes donated by LaVerne Woodward.

We went down on the 5th floor where Auxiliary Member, Tiffany Reeser, is a Registered nurse and she escorted us to the patients rooms to hand out the lap robes. What an honor to give something back to these wonderful men and women who have done so much for us. We truly saw the price one pays for freedom within those walls. This is one of my very favorite things to do every year. It makes one feel so good and it means so much to our beloved veterans.

Our Pancake Breakfasts held the first Sunday of each month continue to be a great success and a great way to raise funds for our programs. “Thank You” Chairman, Jane Kee, who puts a tremendous amount of time into this project.

Our December Breakfast with “Santa” (Ed Watson) raised $898.00 that is going toward goodies for our Adopt A Unit. So mark your calendars and support our breakfasts.

The Adult Christmas party was held Saturday the 19th in the Post Canteen with music and Karaoke supplied by Paul Gorman, Larry Steele and Don “Lugger” Lenhart. Sisters brought snack dishes to pass and a wonderful time was had by all.

We had 77 children sign up for our annual Children’s Christmas Party this year. While waiting for Santa (Ed Watson) to arrive the children were entertained by 6 Mexico Academy teens who did Face Painting and Crafts with them. Homemade Cookies, Veggie Trays and Juice were served. The Children all received a very nice gift from Santa. Good Times!!!!!!

“Coins For Cancer” Piggy Bank goes towards cancer grants for our fellow sisters through National VFW. So stop by and drop a few !

Cell Phones For Soldiers Used cell phones stop and drop - Chairman Lonnie Dimon has sent 3 shipments so far.

Food Pantry Collection Box for the Presbyterian Church is also still in canteen. Stop and drop a can for the needy folks.

Personal Care Products can be left at the Post Canteen for our hospitalized Veterans.

Monthly Themed Basket Raffles with the proceeds to the Flag Fund are available at $1 each or 3 tickets for $2. Chairman Linda Chamberlain.

Patriotic Key Chains made by Nancie Hildreth with proceeds to the National Presidents Special Project, Children’s Cancer Center in Staten Island, can be purchased for $1. each.
Crazy Cash Tickets now available @ $20 each.
Large Screen TV Tickets for $5. Each or 5 for $20.

God Bless You All and keep our soldiers in your prayers.
With Love and Loyality
Your Auxiliary President
Mary Reeser