The members of the Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars live by the motto
“Honor the dead by helping the living.”
The Auxiliary set out to serve the veterans of this country and our communities in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform. While continuing to support the VFW and its causes, the Auxiliary has developed several of their own causes over the years. With the goal of helping families in distress, its members perform community service, fund cancer research, advocate for the rights of the elderly, and support the VFW National Home, and other worthy causes.
VFW 3617 Auxiliary Officers
2023-24
President: Shirley Lance
Senior Vice-President: Dee Johnson
Junior Vice-President: Leona Wolk
Secretary: Bicky LaRoque
Treasurer: Angela Fillion
Chaplain: Judy Ebi
Conductress: Carol Trunzo
Guard: Louisa Johnson
VFW Auxiliary Programs
- Community Service: Helping others by conducting various on-going fund-raising activities. VFW Post 3617 Auxiliary also makes and provides Veterans with quilts made by its members. They are distributed to Veterans and their families in hospital in the Douglas County area.
- Shared Meals: Members provide several holiday dinners throughout the year, and a monthly Pot Luck Dinner for each monthly meeting of the VFW and its Auxiliary.
- Veterans and Family Support: Serving our veterans at home and overseas, as well as supporting their families.
- Department of Washington Fallen Soldiers Banner Project: Washington State is the only state that has this program. The Auxiliary helps raise money to pay for banners that has a picture of the fallen soldier, their name, and where they were from. These banners are carried by volunteers in parades all over Washington State. The banners can help with the healing process for some families. A duplicate magnetic banner is made for the soldiers’ family to keep.
- Buddy Poppy: “Honor the Dead by Helping the Living” – Funds help needy veterans and their families, and help provide care at the VFW National Home for Children.
- Cancer Aid and Research: Nationally, more than $3,000,000 is raised each year to help cancer-stricken members and to invest in research throughout the country.
- Hospitals & VA Retirement Homes: Nationally, adult and student volunteers cheer on patients in VA Medical Centers, as our Auxiliary does in our local hospitals and nursing homes, by serving snacks, reading to patients, assist in writing letters, and serving other needs of veterans and their family members.
- Americanism: Promote patriotism in our schools
- Youth Activities: Sponsorship of Boys and Girl Scouts, 4-H, soccer or softball teams, and other youth groups are a few of the ways our organization provides opportunities for students, in addition to scholarships opportunities.
- Legislative: On request, members send letters and e-mails to members of congress outlining the VFW and Auxiliary’s views on bills dealing with veterans and national security. The organization speaks out on legislation that affects the VA budget and future health care for veterans, veterans entitlements, resolution of the POW/MIA questions, investigation into the Persian Gulf illnesses, and enhancing the Active Duty GI Bill.
