My Dear Sisters,
YOU did it and we, the Department of NY, get to "Reape" the benefits. We are 92.32% ~ who's bringing the pig? I cannot even begin to thank everyone for truly "Caring to Enough to Make a Difference" in the lives of our veterans and their families. There is no better way to express that than by being a member of the best advocate for our veterans--the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Our work is not over; the challenge remains to increase our membership. Let's not settle for 92% or 100%. There is still work to do and the members are out there. I am aware of two Aides-de-Camp in our Department so far with the potential of a few more. Remember anyone who is an Aide-de-Camp qualifies for the monetary drawing . Details are in the Guidebook.
I've been privileged to be a part of so many wonderful events, meetings, VA visits, dinners, and celebrations. I will cherish these memories and friendships forever. You, sisters, are the very best that America has to offer and I am a better person for having known you. The Veterans Day program at Hornell High School-what a tribute to our veterans! Thank you Auxiliary 2250 for including me; it is an experience that I will long remember. Marie, thank you for sharing your wonderful Albany VA. I was very touched by the compassionate, dedicated and caring staff. The District 1 Ball and Testimonial dinner for Juliana Cornell and Bernard Robinson was so nice and it was great spending more time with my District 1 friends. Thanks, Dennis and Mike for letting us follow you-we will never "Fugheddaboutit." As always, you welcomed Sue Coughlin and me with open arms. Your hospitality is heartwarming. Thank you to the ladies from Auxiliary 1232 in Canton for inviting me to share in your anniversary and awards tea. It was so nice to meet so many of your members and to hear o their years of dedicated service.
Karen Foote and I were honored to attend a Pearl Harbor Day ceremony in Port Jefferson and then the District 1 meeting. It's always great to be welcomed by so many of our friends. What an honor to be able to attend Trees for Troops the next day! It is amazing the number involved in sending trees to our deployed military, Ben Thompson presented the chairman a check for $11,000 on behalf of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. Once again your generosity is overwhelming.
Thank you, Helen Weeks, the ladies from Monroe County Council, and District 8 for inviting us to join them for Christmas at the Canandaigua VA. It was a joy to visit 7A & 7B to meet with and distribute Christmas stockings to the veterans. What a great facility! It was a pleasure to be invited to a luncheon and the Monroe CC meeting. Great meeting, Karen! It is evident how much the ladies from Monroe CC care about our veterans. It is an honor to serve with you.
Karen Dotson and I are grateful for our two chauffeurs, Mick Leavor and Joel Vanik, who let us hitch a ride with them to the National Home for Children. After putting almost 20,000 miles on the Department car it was nice to be a passenger and back seat driver. We were invited to participate in the ribbon cutting for the renovations to the New York 2 house. The Department of NY VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary can be proud-it is beautiful and a great home for the kids. On Friday night we were invited to follow Santa and Mrs. Claus as they visited each family at the National Home. We were almost as excited as the children to see and feel the joy of a visit from Santa. For those of you who are members of the Cooties we even got to attend "Cootie Christmas." What an exciting and fun time to visit the national Home! I truly believe that the VFW National Home for Children is the gem of our organization and epitomizes what we are all about. Check out the pictures on Facebook and I have it on good faith that they will soon be on the Department Auxiliary Website.
The holiday season is a special time of year and it is certainly true at the Syracuse VA. Thank you Barb Gibbs and the Ladies from District 4 and 5 for inviting me to be a part of the Christmas party at the Syracuse VA. I just love to meet and talk with our hospitalized veterans. They love the attention and they make you feel so special when, in fact, they are the heroes.
Department Surgeon, Doc Schmidt has put out a plea for donations to the VFW Emergency Relief Fund. Many of our comrades and sisters from New York State have been devastated by flooding in recent months and desperately need our help. Each year the VFW asks for our help with little response. Because so many of our members have been adversely affected by recent storms, it is more important than ever that we come to their aid. We never know; the next plea could be on our behalf. No donation is too small. Please send all donations to the VFW, Department of New York, 69 Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY 12205 and earmark them "VFW Emergency Relief Fun. Each Auxiliary receive a flyer and I encourage your to come to the aid of your neighbors. Remember to report this under Veterans and Family Support.
Now that we are into the New Year it's time to think about reporting all of the great projects you did over the holidays. I know each of you did something so those reports should be filling the mailboxes, inboxes , and answering machines of our Department Chairmen. Reporting and publicizing your good work helps in recruiting new members too. When the Chairmen make their presentations at the Spring Conference I want to hear that you have all reported. If you need help contact the Chairmen-they are anxious to assist you. I also encourage you to email articles and pictures to our editor for the Auxiliary News.
Kudos to Districts 3,4,7 and 8-your inspections are completer. Great job! Congratulations to all of the Auxiliaries, County Councils, and Districts who have worked hard so their Presidents could be named a VIP President at the Spring Conference. I know it doesn't come easy but it is well worth the effort-"Stepping Up to Leave No Veteran Behind" and proving that New York really does....."Care Enough to Make a Difference."
Much Love,
Jane Reape
Jane Reape, Department President