| American Legion Post 305, Caledonia, Mi. 9546 Cherry Valley Telephone Number 616-891-1882 |
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| American Legion Post 305 - January 2012 |
From the Legion Commander: Hello All, Our annual Christmas party was a lot of fun for those that attended. As usual Santa was a big hit with the kids. Thank you goes out to the Auxiliary for their hard work in making this a good family outing at the post. For well over a year we have been collecting items to send to our troops. This has been a huge success where magazines and books are concerned. We don’t need or want any more magazines. You can still support our troops by dropping off some of the other items needed. For a list of suggested items see our website. The post has started collecting old inkjet printer cartridges as a way to not only continue our efforts to go green but to raise funds for our post. So don’t through away those empty cartridges, bring them to the legion and drop them in the recycle box. Our next legion meeting is Jan 4 with the officers meeting being Jan 2. Our January fish fry will be Friday Jan 20. Hey football fans don’t forget the legion is open for football at 1pm on Sundays. So come down to the post and enjoy the Lion’s games with friends. For those transplants from other areas of the country who are fans of other teams we have the NFL package so you can see your favorite teams. Don’t forget we have karaoke on Friday nights. We are going to be needing volunteers for a habitat build for Vets on Jan. 21 from 8am to 4pm. This is scheduled to be a trim carpentry day. This day has been reserved for our post. This is a very good way to support our post and Veterans. Please stop by the post and sign up to help. During the month of January we will be cleaning and organizing the storage room in the hall. If you have any serving trays or dishes at the post please take them home by the end of the month. Anything left over will be finding a new home. Don Stevens From the Auxiliary President Hello Ladies!! I would to thank Lorna Baker for putting together the Ladies Day Out event we had at the Legion in November. There were many vendors with home crafted items and lots of other items for sale. We had a good turn out and are looking forward to doing it again next year. I would like to thank everyone that helped and participated in the Children’s Christmas party. A special Thank you goes out to Santa for brightening everyone’s day and passing out gifts to the children. A big Thank you also goes out to John Crissman for donating the Hamburg for the Barbeques. We had lots of children to enjoy the food and fun. The Auxiliary is having its first Euchre Tournament on January 7th. Sign up will begin at noon with play at 1: 00PM. Please bring an Appetizer to share. The other dates are scheduled for February 4th, March 3rd (annual Soup Cook-off) and April 7th. Please keep January 27th open for our 3rd Wine Tasting Event. This event runs from 5:00PM to 9:00PM and is open to the public. The Auxiliary does all the serving of the food and wine, which requires a lot of helpers. So look for sign-up sheets in the bar if you can help out in any way. We will also need help with set-up and clean- up. Remember many hands make light work. Our next meeting is our Christmas Dinner meeting. Social hour will be at 6:00PM at the Legion with dinner scheduled at Shanghai Iciban Japanese Restaurant at 7:00PM. Please come and enjoy food and friendships –no gift exchange. There is a sign-up sheet posted at the Legion. Out next regular meeting is scheduled for February 8th. Make a great day . . . . . . . Kristen Lazarski From the SAL Commander Hello SAL members, Hello everyone, Well I hope all of you had a blessed Christmas and will enjoy the new year that is upon us. Let's start the new year off by having more attendance at the SAL meetings which are the third Wednesday of every month. I would like to give a big Thank you to all those that helped with the Christmas baskets we helped over 65 families this year by providing a little more for those in need, your help in making this possible was much appreciated. We are currently planning a fishing tournament and bean bag tournament for January and February so stop in at the post after the first of the year for more details. Don't forget the deadline was December 31st for paying your 2012 membership, hope you all renewed. Bingo has been going very well this year and we could always use some help for a couple of hours on Thursday nights. Bless our troops with them returning home this year Todd Grinage From the ALR Director Hello Riders, We are starting our meetings again this month on Jan 17. Our biggest issue to discuss will be plans for our March Itchin to Ride Party. If there are no problems this is scheduled for Mar 17. Now is the time to get your thinking caps on for raffle items. Please bring your ideas and suggestions to the meeting. All members need to sign up and pay their 2012 dues. If you are a member in good standing with over 3 years of continuous membership the dues are $10. New members and those with less than 3 years, the dues are $20. We are trying to update our records so we need to know if past members are going to continue in the ALR. We have the membership apps at the post and will have them at the meetings. We are also looking to put together pictures of our group to display at the hall and are in need of photos from our members to complete this endeavor. Be safe, see you all soon. If you enjoy riding and want to meet like-minded people come join our ALR. You must be a member and have a motorcycle or be a rider on another member’s motorcycle. Ride Free Don A. Stevens Post Service officer Looking for your DD214? The State American Legion Service Officer, Tom Simpkins can help you get a copy. He is also the person to see about a disability claim. Tom is available on Tuesdays from 8am to 4pm at the VA clinic in Grand Rapids. I have received a few questions about applying for medical care thru the VA. I believe the best way to do this is to go to the VA clinic in Grand Rapids and ask to see Eligibility. You should bring your DD214 and last years Tax returns. This service is available to all service members, based on your financial needs. Paul Davis Membership Committees Your 2011 membership is coming to an end. All 2011 members who have not renewed their membership for 2012 will receive their last newsletter with the January issue. Please help your respective membership team renew now while your thinking about it. From the Webmaster Looking for new material for the web site. If you have a story, pictures of events or any other items that would be of benefit or interest to others, please share them with me for posting to our web site. Our email address is calmilegion@yahoo.com. To whom it may concern If you have, in the past, brought in dish’s and other types of pots, pans and other containers, please come to the Post to retrieve them. We will be doing some house cleaning and if your item is not picked up by year end it will be finding a new home. BRICK WALL OF SUPPORT Bricks may be purchased by anyone wishing to show support of our Post, you do not need to be a member of the Legion, SAL or Auxiliary. Bricks may also be purchased in memory of friends or family who have or are serving in the military. Contact the Post for questions. |
| Happy New Year! |