By Karen Haave
Peotone American Legion Post Auxiliary Unit 392 is approaching its 100th Anniversary, but there’s no slowing them down.
The group installed new officers last week, with new terms for President Ann Nagel, Treasurer Paula Prium, Sgt.-at-Arms Jane Jones, Chaplain Carrie Wick, Secretary Lizz Manning, and Vice President Leslie Joslin.
Some of the projects or programs the auxiliary has sponsored during the past year include: Veterans Day, Easter, and Valentine’s Day gifts for the veterans at Beecher Manor; Valentine’s Day and Christmas candy for the residents of the Illinois Veterans Home at Manteno; Honor services at Auxiliary member wakes; and Poppy Day.
“We march as a Unit to the Memorial Day Program at the cemetery,” said Paula Prium, who serves as publicity chair. “We observe Veterans’ Day at the Legion event, assist at Legion fish fries and sell desserts, plus sponsor bingo at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno and provide lunch and prizes.”
This year, Wednesday night Bingo continues at the Post home, with food to purchase, and “we will celebrate three years of bingo on September 1,” Prium noted.
Monies from fundraisers are used to support local sponsorships, such as Christmas in the Village, the Legion Cash Bash, the Peotone Chamber of Commerce, Tractors for a Cure, Chasing Cans for Cancer, Adopt-a-Soldier Teal Star Run, and Ruck March.
“We provide boxes of cheer for local shut-ins and the female veterans at the Illinois Veterans Home at Manteno in the spring. We also support Wreaths Across America in December, etc.,” Prium noted.
“All donations received on National Poppy Day in May are used to support the future of local veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs, including sponsoring our member, who is a nurse, to chaperone Honor Flights.”
Chartered on September 1, 1925, by the American Legion Auxiliary National Department and on September 11, 1925, by the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Illinois, the auxiliary currently has approximately 90 adult and junior members. As for their 100th birthday, the group will have a display case at the library, and other plans are underway.
The American Legion Auxiliary is made up of the male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion. Applications may be found online at ALAforVeterans.org, at bingo on Wednesday nights, or at the Legion Post home.
Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m., on the fourth Monday of odd number months, at the American Legion Post 392 home on Railroad Street.