Is everyone doing what I am and breathing a sigh of relief that Christmas is over? Hopefully the snowy weather will be over soon too – I am really looking forward to Spring. I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and Happy New Year.

We hosted our annual Veteran’s Christmas Party in early December. There was a very good turn out, considering the weather. Thanks to Brad and his volunteers for providing Valet Parking. The meal was very good as always. A special Thank You goes out to Jo Cadwallader for making the turkey and dressing. I hope everyone enjoyed the gift exchange. It looked like there were some pretty nifty gifts given.

We adopted a great family for Christmas this year. Father, mother, and four daughters ages 17, 15 (twins), and 1 year old. Thank you for the numerous donations of both gifts and cash. We were able to give each child a $100.00 gift card as their Santa present along with many other presents. We also gave the family grocery cards to spend as they see fit. The family recently came to Friday coffee at the Post to meet and thank everyone for the gifts.

Carol Trunzo and Billie Reynolds kept us busy with favors for the nursing homes for Fall, Veteran’s Day and Christmas. Three very different craft projects and all fun to make. Carol delivered them to Bonaventure and the other facilities we regularly visit. It sounded like everyone who received one was thrilled. Our next crafting project will be for Valentines Day. We will also work with local schools for Valentines for Veterans. All of the Valentines made by school children will be sent to the Soldiers Home in Orting and the tiny home veterans village at Walla Walla.

We are still working with the Red Cross to coordinate a Blood Drive this Spring. The tentative date will be in March. If you have not signed our list of interest please do. We need to let the Red Cross know we have interest before they will commit the unit from Spokane. Signing the list does not com-mit you to giving blood: it just shows that we have interested individuals. If you are worried about your age or medication disqualifying you, don’t worry – They will let you know when you go to give blood if you are eligible. More people qualify than think they will. As you may have seen on the news this winter has been really hard on the blood supply. Nationally there is a severe shortage. We are hoping to get not only Post 3617 members but the public as well to turn out and give blood. We will keep everyone up to date as we get closer.

The Auxiliary has done a winter project for the homeless the last few years. We normally try to collect clothing, hygiene, and other needed items in January and February to distribute at the end of February. This year we are changing it up a bit and doing a food drive. Bicky shared that one of the larger food banks for the Wenatchee area closed its doors at the end of December. No reason was given for their closing down. To pick up the slack, Serve Wenatchee is trying to get more donations so they can offer their services to more families and we want to help. There will be a collection box at the Post starting in the first week of January. We are asking everyone to donate canned goods and nonperishable food items: soups, chili, canned meats, tuna, canned fruit, cereal, nut butters, etc.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting, February 15th. We will not have a January meeting due to the Mid-Winter Convention. Remember to sign up for the blood drive and bring your food items to Friday coffee if you do not want to wait until February. The weather has to be better by then, right? Please everyone drive safely and watch that ice when walking. Re-member black ice not only plays havoc with cars but also with people.

~ Shirley Lance, Auxiliary President