Where has the summer gone? It just seems to have whizzed past me. I guess that’s good since it means that we’ve been busy. Over the past few months, we took part in the Vietnam War Veterans Welcome Home with the American Legion Post 176. This long-overdue event was well attended and highly successful.
While I was visiting family in Galesburg, Illinois, over the Memorial Day weekend, I had the honor to present city Alderman Dwight White, a veteran, with a Vietnam Veteran’s pin and a Presidential certificate of service. I was also invited to join the local VFW Post’s contingent in the city’s 
Memorial Day Parade. It was a highlight of my trip.
In June, the Auxiliary again teamed up with the American Legion for Sonny’s (Magnificent) Fish Fry. The proceeds that were collected from the desserts and the two 50/50’s that were held were shared with the Legion. It was voted that our portion of the proceeds would go to the Messiah Methodist Church’s Weekend Backpack Program, which we have contributed to throughout the past year. At one-point last spring, Auxiliary Sisters Ittylene Neal and Marilynn Bianco helped with the distribution of food for the program. Both were extremely impressed with the scale of the
project. They reported that the volunteers that day were filling 1600 bags in two rows with enough food to last the weekend. The filled bags would be distributed to various Springfield area schools. In September we again donated to this project, which helps provide nutritious food to 434 food insecure children in our
community. The Bakeless Bakesale that started in July has been quite successful.
Thank you all for your generosity. Linda Byrnes, Treasurer and Membership Chair, reports that, as of our September meeting, Auxiliary membership is at 94.6%. We are slowly closing in on 100% plus 1. Way to go! Again, this year we will pick our free life member winner from those who have renewed their membership by September 30. Good luck to all.
Our fall plans are still in development. However, we have decided to support the DC VA Medical Center’s “Winterhaven for Veterans.” The aim of this initiative is to help homeless male and female veteransand veterans transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. Items (new only) needed for men/women include: undergarments; long undergarments; winter hats; winter gloves; socks; shoes/boots; winter coats (can be dry cleaned); and comfort kits (toiletries, no razors); and monetary donations (make checks out to the DCVA Medical Center earmarked for this cause). All donations must be at the Post Home by October 31.
In addition, there will be Veterans Day, Buddy Poppy, tailgate, and holiday events. Everything we do can always use more helpers. We’d love to have you with us. We meet on the second Wednesday of the
month in person and online at our Post Home at 7:00pm. You can always contact me at 703-899-2252 or pres@vfwpost7327auxiliary.org.
