The Callaway American Legion Auxiliary’s monthly meeting started at 6:30 p.m. at the Callaway Legion Hall on Feb. 9, 2026. 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. There were two corrections to the minutes. First there was a date wrong: the meeting was held Jan. 12, 2026, not 1926, just a small change. Then I thanked the wrong person for helping with Christmas Wreaths for Veterans - the person we wanted to thank is Ivan Phelps. Thank you Ivan for your help. A motion to approve the minutes with the changes was made by Mary Ann Boldt, seconded by Joyce Brestel, and was approved unanimously. Mary Ann then followed with the financial report. We still have several delinquent dues that need to be collected, but we are doing good financially.

There have been letters sent out to appeal to our members to pay up. We hope our members understand that these are dues from last year. Our year runs from August 2025 to July 2026, so in August 2026 we need to have the dues for 2027 collected. Jo moved to except the financial report as presented, Joyce seconded the motion and it was approved.

Are there any bills? Cora made a great centerpiece to be presented at District 6 in Kearney on March 7, to be judged. Jo made a motion to pay for Cora’s expenses in making this centerpiece. Joyce seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. Cora volunteered to make some cinnamon rolls for District 6 also. MaryAnn will get a door prize. We are also going to provide plastic grocery bags to the convention.

This year for Girls State, all Units are asked to donate $30, for snacks provided to the girls in each Hall. Also, Vickie Ozenbaugh, our State President needs volunteers for several things at Girls State. You can reach her at 402-759-0411 to find out what is still open. Girls State runs from May 31 thru June 6. The volunteers are needed on June 3 and June 4. Cora also had Raffle tickets we are to sell for Mid-Year Conference. Jo moved that the Unit buy the raffle tickets and add our members names to them, and that we pay the $30 for the treats at Girl State. MaryAnn seconded this motion and it received unanimous approval.

Items and ideas for the 250-year Birthday for Veterans: Jo made a motion to get small candy bars and add labels saying Happy Birthday America, 250 Years, Compliments of Unit 59, Callaway American Legion Auxiliary. These will be given out to the Veterans that use the Medical Center in Grand Island. Seconded by Joyce, with unanimous vote. We are trying to get some other ideas to help out the celebration.

Legion Birthday is on March 22, at 2:00. We will have cake and ice cream and Emmery Haynes will give a short talk on things that can benefit Veterans. There will be Continuous Membership Awards presented also.

We will judge Americanism essays and Girls’ State applications on Feb. 17 from 9:30 a.m. until finished.

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