The Callaway American Legion Auxiliary’s monthly meeting started at 6:30 p.m. at the Callaway Legion Hall on Nov. 17, 2025. Our President, Cora Belew, called the meeting to order. Chaplin Joyce Brestel started the meeting with a prayer. We then followed our President in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the Star Spangled Banner, and saying the Auxiliary Preamble.

The minutes of our last meeting were read by the secretary. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Joyce Brestel, seconded by Mary Ann Boldt, and it was approved unanimously. Mary Ann then followed with the financial report, and with all the commitments we have made, we are still sitting good financially. The soup supper was a success and we have closed our books on this event for this year. Everything went very smooth for the soup supper. Thanks to everyone that volunteered to help out that night.

The white elephant sale for the emergency fund for our members experiencing hardships did earn a small amount, which we will send to the Department for members who apply for it. The American Flag was won by Gale Pitkin. All the expenses for the soup supper have been paid.

Mary Ann will purchase three Christmas wreaths for a member of our community who has requested them for military family members who are laid to rest in another cemetery in our county. The member will be responsible for the care and upkeep of these wreaths.

Mary Ann purchased Poppy Pins, which were presented to our veterans at the Veterans Day program. Eileen made a motion that we pay Mary Ann for the pins, Joyce seconded this motion, and it received unanimous approval.

The department needs centerpieces for February or April at the VA Medical Center in Grand Island. We will make a call and see which month is open for the centerpiece.

We will donate something to the school for Education Week, and it will be delivered next week. The Kids Carnival on Nov. 2 went smoothly with no glitches. County Government Day was Nov. 17. That also went off very smoothly, Callaway students won a plaque for the most students asking questions. Our Callaway Legion and Auxiliary members won a plaque for the most members attending. Mary Ann attended the Grand Island and Kearney Dollar Days. Gifts for Yanks is Dec. 2. Mary Ann will attend and if anyone would like to go Mary Ann will take you along, just contact her.

Cora found a popcorn popper in red. Mary Ann made a motion to purchase it. Eileen seconded the motion and it received a unanimous vote of approval.

Operation Gratitude for Veterans: Cora will check with the school and see if there is a class that wants to make pictures, color them, or write letters or whatever they want to do so that they can be sent to veterans.

Mary Ann made a motion to pay memberships for members that will now be in a care facility and can no longer manage their finances. Eileen seconded this motion and it received unanimous approval. We will have to change our constitution to have this officially go through.

Do not forget to write out our Christmas Cards to Veterans and bring them to our December meeting. Christmas Wreaths for Veterans will be set out Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m. They will need to be fluffed before they are set out.

Joyce made a motion to donate $150 to the Food Pantry. Mary Ann seconded this and it got a unanimous vote of approval.

The meeting concluded with a prayer from our Chaplin, and Cora adjourned the meeting.

Sincerely, Eileen Wilson, Secretary