Hello Brothers and
Sisters of the Auxiliary,
Department
Convention is over, and we just got home from 10 days in Columbus, OH for
National Convention. Oregon did fantastic this year with National Awards. I
think Oregon came home with 3 first place winners in our division, a couple
second place winners and an Auxiliary that won $500.00 award in the membership
drawing.
I was able to go
to a workshop about the National Home, and I really learned a lot.
Did you know that
there are 600 acres in total, with 80 being the campus. They opened a new home in May, and the next 5
years hope to build 7 more. Many of the new homes will be 2-story duplexes. Each
side costs approximately $275,000.00 and between 8-12 thousand a year to
maintain. This is what the money you send to Department for Oregon Cottage goes
to. Right now, the cottage is empty and they are refurnishing it for the new
family. They are allowed to take the furniture, linens, towels, and kitchen
items with them to their new home. It costs approximately $5,000.00 to replace
the items.
When you donate to
the National Home, please put the amount down in your report so that I can keep
track of it. Especially the Health and Happiness that your treasurer pays
through MALTA. That is not reported to Department from the National Home. They
ask for the minimum of ten cents per member, but most Auxiliaries donate more. Remember,
any donations to the National Home can come out of your Relief fund.
I picked up a few
things at the VFW Store while at National, so make sure you read my articles,
and I may ask a question, and I will give a little item to the first person
that gets ahold of me.
Thank you for
everything you do for our Veterans and their families.