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 |