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.