Letter: VFW Auxiliary kicks off membership drive
To the Editor:
I have discovered that if everything in life was easy to obtain, it wouldn't have near the worth of that which takes a lot more time and effort to achieve.
Each member of our ladies auxiliary to the VFW is truly important to sustaining our Marion Post #6958 unit. The goal is to reach 100 percent membership by recruiting new members, retaining continuous members, and reinstating former members.
Those who are eligible to join are wives, widows, mothers, foster, and stepmothers, grandmothers, daughters, granddaughters, foster and stepdaughters (who attained that status prior to age 16 and for whom the duties of parent were performed) of persons who were or are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Members must be citizens of the U.S. and at least 16 years old.
However, the past 10 years we have fallen short in reaching 100 percent in membership. Because of that, we fall short of being able to give as much support to the programs that benefit our veterans who have defended or are defending our country, as well as their families in need of our assistance.
The members of the VFW ladies auxiliary are committed to serving veterans and their families, promoting pride in America, teaching young people about the cost of freedom, and serving the community.
This is done through their programs of Americanism, Buddy Poppy, cancer aid and research, community service, hospital and veterans affairs voluntary services, junior girls' units, legislative, patriotic art/Voice of Democracy, veterans and family support, VFW National Home for Children, and youth activities.
You help immensely just be becoming a member or retaining your membership in the VFW ladies auxiliary. Yearly membership dues are $20, of which $12 goes for national, department, and district dues as well as cancer insurance. That leaves $8 per member for the programs mentioned above as well as scholarships for the junior high, high school, and college-bound students.
Early payment of dues brings in awards money to the auxiliary unit, which in turn is given back to help those who are serving to defend our freedoms. Two packages each month are sent to a designated area service man or woman.
Local meetings area always the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. (April through October). The meetings are held at 2 p.m. November through March.
The auxiliary is currently collecting school supplies to distribute to students in need in the Marion school district. Those who would like to participate in this community service project are urged to leave school supplies at Custom Threads on Main Street or bring them to the August meeting.
Please let's don't forget our veterans. Let's show them we care by getting our membership dues in and up to 100 percent by Patriots Day, Sept. 11.
Membership dues are $20 and are payable by check or money order and can be sent to Nicky Hoffman, treasurer, Box 174, Marion.
If you have questions or want to know more about the auxiliary, contact a member or myself.
Donna Kreutziger, president
1501 194th
Marion
