The American Legion Auxiliary monthly meeting was called to order at 5:00 at the Callaway Legion Hall on Jan. 15, 2024. Our meeting was called to order by our new President Jane Lashley. Because of our extreme cold weather Joyce Brestel, our chaplain, didn’t come to our meeting so Deondra Lashley filled in as chaplain and she read the prayers for our meeting. Jane had us as a group say the Pledge of Allegiance, we sang the Star Spangled Banner, and recited the Auxiliary Preamble. The minutes of our last meeting were read and they stand approved. MaryAnn Boldt read the financial report that showed our expenses and income for this last month, which not including the extra money for more wreaths, gave us a balance of $6189.25. MaryAnn will send out letters to our members who have not paid their 2024 membership, these are due now so please try to get them paid.

Last month Joe from the Sons of American Legion gave us a bill for the soup they made for Veterans Soup Super. We owe them $186.28. Jo Chesley made a motion to pay them $250 for all of the nice things and supplies they have used to help us. It was seconded and it received a unanimous vote of approval. MaryAnn also made a motion to donate $60 to the Seven Valleys Museum, Cora Belew seconded this motion and it received unanimous approval. We also owe for our membership to the Callaway Chamber of Commerce. Jo motioned to pay the $50 to keep our membership current, Deondra seconded this and it received approval also.

There was a chili cook-off and poker walk Friday night from 6 to 8 at the Kearney Legion Post. This will be for Mid Year Conference on Jan. 19-20th. It will be held at the Holiday Inn. The Executive Committee will meet at 9 a.m. on Friday and they will make the candidate announcement then. The Oracle contest will be on Saturday night at 6 p.m. Sunday there will be joint sessions at 9:00. March 1, 2024, the forms for dues for the July 1, 2024, thru July 1, 2025, year will be sent out. Our dues will be $32.

Deondra will check with the school to see when we can pick up the Americanism Essays. They need to be sent to State by April 1st. We will need time to judge these and get them mailed. Legislative Day is Friday, Feb. 2, in Lincoln. February 1st, the Legion Auxiliary will meet at the school with the girls and boys who are interested in going to Girls and Boys State. They need to fill out applications and we will have to judge the girls and pick out the best application.

Eileen will drop off the Valentine's Box for Veterans at the Library so anyone who wants to make Veterans Valentines for them can do so. We will pick up the box on the 9th of February. That concludes our business for the night. Deondra read the closing prayers and Jane adjourned our meeting.

Sincerely, Eileen Wilson, Secretary