Aletta Butler (228) 334-2783 EMAIL monthly report form
send pictures to Madam President via email questions email
HEY MISSISSIPPI!!! Lets get something going on!!
The Historian & Media Relations Program encompasses memory keeping and collecting the five Ws: the who-what-where-when and-why of an Auxiliary. Members involved with this program compile and chronicle memories and events in written format, photographs, memorabilia and print news/video clips. They also spread the word about our valuable National Programs and share how we are making a positive impact in the lives of veterans, service members and their families in thousands of communities across the country. (off National website)
You are the one in your Auxiliary to reach out to all of the media sources in your area. A list of media resources in Mississippi. If you have a contact that you would like to add to the list, or find data that needs to be updated, email it to me so we can keep this list updated for the future.
To help spread the word the National organization has given us a ton of resources to help us on the way… (a small part of Historian/Media Relations info found in MALTA cut up and ‘collaged’ together to make it easier for you to announce all the AWESOME work your Auxiliary is doing)
Who do you contact?
At the weekly newspaper, ask for the Editor.
At the daily newspaper, ask for the City or Metro Editor, or the Editor or columnist for the section or column where you want your article to run.
At radio stations, ask for the News Director, if it is newsworthy; Program Director, for a talk show or the calendar.
At TV stations, ask for the News Director or Assignment Editor if you want the station to cover an event.
For a TV talk show, ask for the Program Director or the Producer of the show.
If you don’t know whom to contact, ask the person answering the phone.
Keep a list of contacts at local newspapers, radio stations and TV stations
Before you contact anyone to cover an event your Auxiliary is hosting or participating in, answer the following questions:
Are local people involved? (yes or no)
Is the event happening in the near future – within the next month? (yes or no) Will non-members be interested in attending or hearing about the event? (yes or no)
Will the event help the local community? (yes or no) If yes, how? (describe)
Is the activity or event unique? (yes or no)
Does the activity or event promote a new idea or concept? (yes or no)
What is Newsworthy?
Events hosted by an Auxiliary at a VA facility
Decorating graves for Veterans Day and Memorial Day; participating in Wreaths Across America.
Assisting families of deployed troops (Hosting holiday events, i.e. Christmas parties, Easter Egg hunts, Trick-or-Treat events, offering financial assistance)
Adopting a Unit through the VFW’s Veteran and Military Support Program.
Collecting supplies for deployed troops.
Meeting troops at the airport as they return from deployment and helping them complete their journey home.
Members and youth who are participating in a “Buddy” ® Poppy Drive or POW/MIA remembrance ceremony.
Scholarship winners such as the winner of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.
Flag presentations to community groups.
Publicizing what your Auxiliary has done to help natural disaster victims.
National President’s Visit.
Repairs on a Veteran’s Home/Building a Wheelchair Ramp/etc.
Walks/Runs/Events to raise awareness/funds for Veteran Issues/PTSD.
Press Releases:
(You want to start by telling the media source who ya’ll are, how to contact you for more information and what is going on:)
VFW Post & Auxiliary [insert Name/Post Number] are excited to announce the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual scholarships & contests for kindergarten through high school students who may compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prize earnings.
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest – Students submit an original two-dimensional piece of artwork. Entry must have completed during the current school year. Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary [insert Name/Post Number] by March 31, 2024. Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the Department (state) competition. Department first-place winners compete for their share of $34,500 in national awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded a $15,000 scholarship. To download an entry form, visit www.vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.
3-Dimensional Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest – Students submit an original three-dimensional piece of artwork. Entry must have completed during the current school year.Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary [insert Name/Post Number] by March 31, 2024. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the Department (state) competition. Department first-place winners compete for their share of $5,500 in national awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded a $2,500 scholarship. To download an entry form, visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.
Illustrating America – Students in grades K-8 can participate in this patriotic art contest that encourages students’ artistic abilities as they express how they see America through drawings and paintings. The contest consists of three grade divisions: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Winners in each division receive VISA gift cards ranging in value from $25-$100. Entrants are due to [insert Name/Post Number] by March 31, 2024. Find more information at www.vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities.
(don’t forget to add the wording below on everything that you send out to the media)
About the VFW Auxiliary: The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations. Our members are the relatives of those who served in a location of foreign conflict. We have nearly 470,000 members representing all 50 states, Panama, Guam and the Philippines who volunteer millions of hours and give millions of dollars to support veterans, military service personnel, their families and communities. Learn more at www.vfwauxiliary.org.
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(Challenge for December- publish a public article of something your Auxiliary and Post has done over Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. This can be a FB LIVE on your Post/Auxiliary/personal public Facebook, advertising on the radio station, be highlighted on the community section during the local news program, article in the newspaper, Tik Tok – instagram – you tube public station. – as always if you are interested in any of this and not sure where or how to start give me a call) Bring or send this to me at Mid-Winter each entry will receive a special gift. -don’t forget to report it 😉
We are making HISTORY for our future!
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Be safe and I pray you and your family a very Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year.