The Cassadaga Legion Auxiliary Unit 1280 held its regular monthly meeting at the Legion Post on Tuesday, Nov. 12 with all officers present, including 8 senior members. President Lauren Sharp opened the meeting in regular fashion with the Pledge of Allegiance, the Preamble and a moment of silence for our fallen soldiers. Chaplain Paula Pattison gave the opening prayer. Secretary Carol Baker read the previous meeting minutes; and Treasurer Sue DeGolier gave the financial report; both accepted as read. Correspondence was also read by the secretary.

Reports by the committee chairs:

Americanism Pat Hayward reported that we had many Unit members that voted in the recent elections.

Chaplain Paula Pattison reported she has sent out Sympathy and Thinking of You cards to Unit members.

Children & Youth chairperson Karen Ulrich had a nice Halloween party for the local children. Oodles of ghosts, goblins, princesses and super heroes gathered for a fun afternoon, and left with prizes, goodies and lots of smiles. She is hoping to have a children’s movie night this winter.

Sally also noted for Education that “National Education Week” is Nov. 18 to 22. Also, as a reminder: “Box Tops for Education” will no longer be accepted as they are now to be phone scanned with their ‘App’ and sent to a school of your choice.

For Empire Girl’s State, letters will soon go out to the eligible high school junior girls.

Pat Hayward also reported on Juniors, stating that junior member Mattea Hilliker made favors for the Veterans that attended the Scout Pack and Troop 219 Veteran Spaghetti dinner held on Veteran’s Day; and flag pins for the Blue Star Mothers’ holiday packages for the deployed Troops.

Membership chairperson Sally Lawson is at 66% of Unit 1280’s yearly goal. Unit 1280 are $25 for senior members and $10 for juniors; let’s get to 100%, ladies! Unpaid Unit 1280 members can mail them to Sally or stop by the Post to pay.

Poppy Chairperson Carol Baker ordered Unit 1280’s poppies for 2020. They will be delivered to the Post in early 2020.

VA & R Unit 1280 had 12 lap robes, toiletries, and cancelled stamps to be taken to the Buffalo VA. It was also noted that the Veterans enjoy receiving CD’s to listen to.

Unfinished Business:

Pat Hayward gave her “Fall Conference” report, and noted that the 8th District President’s project is “Stop Suicide!”

Thursday, Nov. 12, Unit 1280 will be hosting the County Auxiliary meeting. Pat Hayward has decorations; Ricky Haase and Lynn Moeller will make the favors, and other Unit members signed up for what desserts to bring. The next County Auxiliary meeting will be Thursday, March 12 at Lakewood Unit 1286.

Old Business:

Our annual “Vendor Showcase” and Bake Sale held in October went very well. There were 15 different vendors selling their wares, and the soup and sandwich lunch and bake sale were enjoyed by many.

Unit 1280 participated in the Post 1280 Veterans Day program that was held Monday, Nov, 11. In honor of the American Legion Auxiliary’s 100th Birthday, President Sharp spoke on the history of the Ladies Auxiliary that began Nov. 10, 1919; and that Auxiliary Unit 1280 was chartered in March of 1946, our first President being Ruth Turner of Cassadaga. Membership chairperson Sally Lawson presented certificates to the Unit 1280 members that have 40+ years of membership. Bertha Fredrickson of Cassadaga has top honors with 66 years of service to our Unit! For the closing ceremony, Sally Lawson, Paula Pattison, Ranee Kaus, Carol Baker, Pat Hayward and Ricky Haase performed “The Wall / Hat Ceremony” for all attending. Taps was played by Squadron 1280 Commander Ron Boyland.

New Business:

Unit 1280 will be “Decking the Halls” of Post 1280 Sunday, Dec. 1 starting at noon. We will be bringing snacks to share.

Karen Ulrich mentioned that the children’s Christmas party will be Sunday, Dec. 15 from 1 to 3 in the Veterans’ hall. She will be looking for Christmas cookie donations for the children to decorate.

Members present voted to donate money to the Blue Star Mothers, and the Dwyer program for Veterans.

With no further business at hand, Chaplain Pattison gave a closing prayer, and President Sharp closed the meeting at 8 p.m.

Unit 1280 has nice corn brooms for sale at $12 each; and they continue to collect, stamps, “Pennies for Hospice” and “can tabs for Troop support”. “Troopons” (coupons) now need to be ONLY manufacturer coupons —- cut, and put into categories: Unexpired, or expired (not more than 2 months),

Sub-categories: Food items, Non-food items, baby food/items, pet items; all labeled and put in separate baggies. Thank you for clipping and categorizing!