The Callaway American Legion Auxiliary monthly meeting started at 6:30 at the Callaway Legion Hall on Dec. 9, 2024. Our President Jane Lashley conducted our meeting. The meeting was called to order with our Chaplain Joyce Brestel reading our prayer.

Our meeting started with us saying the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the Star Spangled Banner and reciting our Auxiliary Preamble. Our secretary Eileen read the minutes from the Nov. 11 meeting. With the correction of two mistakes (on county government days Mary-Ann took a group of students to the Clerk's office not the Auditor’s office. The theme for the Americanism Essays is “What Does America The Beautiful Mean to Me”) with these corrections the minutes of the minutes were approved. MaryAnn Boldt presented the financial report which shows a balance of $7632.91.

Cora was able to find some replacement ribbons for the wreaths we place on Veterans graves at our Rose Hill Cemetery. Some of the ribbons were lost due to weather and wear and tear. Deondra made a motion to pay Cora for the bill for replacement ribbons for $25.97 and to pay MaryAnn for the $15.00 bill for expenses incurred in making center pieces for the Grand Island Medical Center for 10 center pieces for St. Patrick's Day in March. Jo seconded this move and it was unanimously approved.

No one in our unit received a newsletter from Justina Berckel, our District 6 President. We did receive the new guidelines for the prayer book and the history book and they were given to the people responsible.

Vickie Cyboron, the Department Historian, gave all Units a challenge to write a report on why their Unit Post is named what it is named. Joyce will write a report on why Post 59 is named after Bryson-Booker.

We have a lot of judging to do in the next 2 months: Americanism Essays we will pick up on February 14 and due to Department by March 15, 2025.

Girls State Applications we will pick up Feb. 14 and are due to Department by March 1. 2025.

Legion Auxiliary Scholarships will be picked up March 1, and are due to Department by March 15, 2025.

Poppy Posters are due to us by March 14 and are due to the Department by April 15, 2024.

Wreaths were picked up on Jan. 29 and they had lots of help and everything got done before the snow.

MaryAnn made a motion to sponsor snacks for one day at girls' state, Cora seconded this motion, and it was voted for unanimous approval.

There will be a Valentines for Veterans Box at our Library if you feel creative and want to spread some joy to our Veterans. We will pick the box up on February 8th so we can deliver them to the hospitals and homes in time for Valentines Day. Thank you!!

The meeting was concluded with Joyce reading our prayer and Jane concluding the meeting.

Sincerely, Eileen Wilson, Secretary There will be a Valentine box at the Callaway Library for Valentines for Veterans. If you feel like creating valentines for Veterans you will really brighten their lives with a little cheer. Thank you for your time and caring.