The Hubner Swanson Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1130 met Wednesday, March 6, 2014. The meeting was called to order by President Joanne Janisch. Opening services were conducted according to ritual. Following the prayer and pledge of allegiance, Secretary Barb Cavin read the minutes, which were accepted as read. The treasurer’s report was read and filed subject to audit. The state communications were read and discussed. One petition for membership was read and accepted. Trustee Georgie Schell read the audit report. which was accepted.
Members discussed how to help our veterans and their families during this cold weather. A list of items needed for the homeless veteran center in South Bend was distributed. Any of those items may be brought to the post by the next meeting April 2. Sharon Kraus is working on the Buddy Poppy displays for the spring conference.
Two contests will be held at spring conference: an essay contest and a POW/MIA scrapbook for the Americanism program, as well as a “pep rally” to see which district can come up with the most original idea to show their patriotic spirit. Each district will submit the name of its most patriotic person.
A motion was passed to send a check for $75 and the money from the “Sock it to Cancer” program to the department’s cancer fund. “Let’s knock cancer out of the park” is the state’s next cancer project.
All members need to be veterans’ advocates and keep in contact with our congresspeople. Congress passed a budget deal in its two-year plan the included a provision that penalizes working-age military retirees younger than 62. That will cost them and their families money that was hard earned.
Ideas were discussed on how to improve the response to the Ladies Auxiliary scholarship program. At the LaPorte High School awards night May 1, scholarship Chairperson Janisch will present a certificate to this year’s winner.
Awards the auxiliary will sponsor for the 2014 LaPorte County Fair were announced.
Final plans and changes were shared on the Paddle Auction, which is on March 30. Chairperson Barb Cavin has 10 vendors participating.
Janisch recently received a plaque from the LaPorte ABATE motorcycle group thanking the Ladies Auxiliary for their support. Notices about the Wall Gang essay contest and the “Bowl for Veterans” outing were shared. The Mother-Daughter Potluck is scheduled for May 7 at 6 p.m. There will be a signup sheet at the post. Meat will be provided by the auxiliary. New members will be initiated after the meal. Karen Huskey and Cindy Cavin will work on the door prizes and decorations.
Barb Zernick and Janisch won the attendance prizes.
The closing ceremonies were conducted according to ritual. The next meeting is April 2 at 7 p.m.