National Junior Vice President
Barbara Hale Ray
After ringing out the old, and bringing in the new, I find that this calls for a recap of some accomplishments for our Auxiliary and Chapter 375.
Together, we had a great year working to accomplish events for Veterans and their families. There were smiles, visits, meals, homegrown vegetables just to name a few.
We were able to partner with the American Legion, VFW and DAV to hold Homeless clothing drives for the Spring and Fall season. Our Auxiliary members were introduced to many of the DAV Auxiliary and to show us their appreciation, we were invited to their Memorial Day Celebration and Christmas Awards Dinner.
Food donations were made to Heather Grove Assisted Living Facility and to the VA Medical Center for the annual Thanksgiving Food Baskets. We were asked to provide food for 10 families and they were beyond grateful for such generosity. We had food sponsors from Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Honey Bake Ham, Sprouts and the Buckley Space Force Base Commissary for donations.
The Fitzsimmons Veterans Community center asked us if we wanted to sponsor a Veteran for Christmas and of course we did. There were 59 residents on the wards, and we shopped for all 59. We given a list to shop from a list of things they would like to receive for Christmas. I had one Veteran to ask me how did I know what he wanted, I told him that I was one of Santa Elves and we got busy checking out their wants.
Our Purple Heart Elementary School, Mission Viejo, had their annual Veterans Day program and lunch. There were a few were missing from a couple of years ago, but none the less, they were all remembered. Our local Elementary School, Aspen Grove, asked us to participate in the parade, and my Patriot was the Grand Marshal.
This year we were able to hold our Christmas Party at Mission Viejo. We had the food donated, and we were able to purchase things we thought were missing, however, we won’t do that next year. The sponsors for the event were The Home Depot and Lowe’s. Food was donated by Taziki’ Mediterranean Restaurant and The Texas Road House.
So as I bring this to a close, I find out that we have to get started much earlier to top 2021.
Barbara
