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Auxiliary Outreach Sept 24

Michele Brinson 901-734-8160 email

I am so sorry that I was not able to be with all of you in Gulfport at the School of Instruction (SOI)/Council of Administration (COA) in August, but look forward to seeing everyone in October. From Our Roots to Our Branches, Extending Service To Our Veterans, and to their families, our communities, and to organizations within our communities.


Steps to a Successful Auxiliary Outreach Project:

  • Vote and approve a motion to provide assistance and partner with other organizations in your community in your meeting and record that approval in your meeting minutes. Approval should occur prior to the outreach activity except on rare occasions such as a natural disaster or emergency. You can do this where it covers all activities/ partnerships for the entire year or prior to each activity/partnership as they occur.
  • Partner with organizations that could use assistance.
  • At least one Auxiliary member must participate in order to be counted as auxiliary outreach, and projects may be done by only the Auxiliary or together with the VFW Post.
  • Wear VFW Auxiliary attire while participating (shirt, hat, name badge, lanyard, etc.).
  • Take pictures of all the amazing things you are doing in your communities and share with other auxiliaries, your Department Historian, National Headquarters, and with me.
  • Count all volunteer hours (but not monetary donations).
  • Share information about the VFW Auxiliary; i.e., what we do, why we do it, how someone can become a member, etc.

  • What’s Considered Auxiliary Outreach:
  • Projects not affiliated with the VFW or VFW Auxiliary.
  • Donations of goods have now been approved by National.
  • Participate in walks that benefit other organizations such as an event spotter, water station volunteer, timekeeper, etc. (Note: This does not include walking in the event or sponsoring someone who walks in the event).
  • Partner with law enforcement personnel on child ID kits, bicycle safety training, collecting stuffed animals for situations involving children, etc.
  • Partner with firefighters on fire safety and prevention.
  • Partner with EMTs to host CPR training.
  • Partner with Senior Citizens Centers by teaching a basic computer class, playing bingo, doing arts and crafts or other activities, etc.
  • Partner with parks and recreation departments or garden clubs to adopt a park, plant trees, perform general clean up; etc.
  • Partner with animal shelters by volunteering to help clean kennels, walk animals, collect bedding, cleaning supplies, dog/cat food, leashes, etc.
  • Partner with homeless shelters by serving food, bussing tables, cleaning up, etc.
  • Partner with food pantries/banks or Meals on Wheels to stock shelves, pack food boxes, serve food, pass out food boxes, deliver meals, etc.
  • Partner with the Red Cross or other groups at their blood drives.
  • Partner with organizations that provide clothing, household goods, furniture, appliances, bedding, etc., by sorting items, passing out items, collecting needed items, etc.; such as House of Grace, Hope Ministries, Sacred Heart, etc.
  • Partner with organizations that provide medical equipment; i.e., wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, etc., by collecting needed items.
  • Partner with a church hosting a community-wide event Easter egg hunt, trunk or treat, breakfast with Santa; Vacation Bible School, etc.

  • Auxiliary Outreach Program Award:
    Most outstanding photo collage created by the VFW Auxiliary of their auxiliary Outreach partnerships during the current Program Year. Citation and $25 to one VFW Auxiliary in each of the 10 Program Divisions that creates the most outstanding photo collage of their VFW Auxiliary partnerships during the current Program Year.

  • Last, but not least, thank you to Auxiliaries 3253, 4934, 5397, 6731, 7531, 9832, and 12124 for all that you are doing to extend your service and for reporting your activities. I look forward to seeing more reports from all of you.

Hospital Sept 24

Betty Ashmus 228-990-6969 email

What type of personality are YOU? Outgoing, Witty, Flower Child, Social Butterfly, Creative, Dull, Interesting, Not-so interesting, Wild, A loner, Direct, Indirect, Outspoken, (I wonder who that could be) Quite, maybe not-so quite. The list goes on …….. HOWEVER, what ever type of personality you may be, WE can use you and your unique personality in the Hospital program.

Is there a Nursing home near you? Is there an assisted living facility near you? Is there a Veterans Home or hospital near you? Personalities of all types can do SOMETHING for our shut-ins. If you can’t visit or spend any time with our hospital folks, you can do something constructive at your house or friends homes to make our veterans and shut-ins a bit more pleasant or comfortable. You think, like what? How about making a small ‘happy’ or write some ‘cards’ or a big ‘happy’? A small gesture of your appreciation could be received with a smile or such happiness you can’t imagine.

Some of our veterans have NO family and the only people they see daily are the nursing staff or doctors. These individuals are there for the veterans needs and are dedicated to helping them in a lot of ways, but how about someone who comes in with a big smile on their face and sits with them and ask about their day or their family, how they’re doing or just sitting with them while they remanise about their lives and dreams.

The rewards are not tokens or something tangible but the feeling you get that warms you to the core. I’m most of those personalities at one time or another and use all of them while working with our veterans and feel that you too can bring something to the table for our veterans.

The list is endless and you and your friends that can’t make it to a facility could get together and create something that could be useful to donate to one of the homes and put a smile on a patient’s face and make their day brighter. Think about it and maybe come up with things to do for our true heroes, you may help someone you will never meet but may change their lives for a short time.

If you can’t thing of anything, give me a call and maybe I can help.

Youth August 24

Beth Crow 662-522-9481 email

It’s Back-to-School time and we are ready to get a great start to our year. I want to challenge each of our Auxiliaries to start a veterans reading in the classroom program. This supports our Patriotism through Literacy Program. Young people are the future of our organization so it is important to establish a good rapport with them. Establishing a relationship at an early age and instilling our values is crucial. There is a list of books in MALTA under the Youth Program tab at Patriotism Through Literacy Suggested Books 2022 (2).pdf. or download here Work with your VFW Youth Program Chair in a joint project to have the Veterans read once a month at your local elementary schools or library. Choose one of these books to donate as part of the program. It’s a win/win for everyone involved.

There is lots of news coming concerning reporting so please take the time to read your emails. I’m looking forward to a productive year. If any of you have questions or need help, please do not hesitate to contact me. Let’s have a great year working with our young people.

Membership 24

Michele Brinson 901-734-8160 email

From Our Roots to Our Branches, Extending Service To Our Veterans. However, we are also encouraged to extend our service to our communities and organizations within our communities. Steps to a Successful Auxiliary Outreach Project: • Partner with organizations that could use assistance. • Vote and approve a motion to provide assistance in your meeting and record that approval in your meeting minutes–if possible at the first meeting of the new year. • Approval should occur prior to the outreach activity except on rare occasions such as a natural disaster or emergency • At least one Auxiliary member must participate in order to be counted as auxiliary outreach, and projects may be done by only the Auxiliary or together with the VFW Post. • Wear VFW Auxiliary attire while participating (shirt, hat, name badge, lanyard, etc.).

• All volunteer hours need to be counted (but not monetary donations).

 • Share information about the VFW Auxiliary; i.e., what we do, why we do it, how someone can become a member, etc. 

What’s Considered Auxiliary Outreach: 

● Auxiliary Outreach is for projects not affiliated with the VFW or VFW Auxiliary.

● Participation in walks that benefit other organizations such as an event spotter, water station volunteer, timekeeper, etc. (Note: This does not include walking in the event). 

● Partner with law enforcement personnel on child ID kits, bicycle safety training, etc.

● Partner with firefighters on fire safety and prevention.

 ● Partner with EMTs to host CPR training.

● Partner with Senior Citizens Centers by teaching a basic computer class, playing bingo, doing arts and crafts or other activities, etc.

● Partner with parks and recreation departments or garden clubs to adopt a park, plant trees, perform general clean up; etc.

● Partner with animal shelters by volunteering to help clean kennels, walk animals, etc. 

● Partner with homeless shelters by serving food, bussing tables, cleaning up, etc. 

● Partner with food pantries to stock shelves, pack food boxes, serve food, etc.

● Partner with the Red Cross or others at their blood drives. 

● Partner with Meals on Wheels. 

● Partner with organizations that provide clothing, household goods, furniture, appliances, bedding, etc., by sorting items, passing out items, etc. 

● Helping a church host a community-wide Easter egg hunt, trunk or treat, breakfast with Santa; Vacation Bible School, etc. 

● Donations of goods are now reportable under Auxiliary Outreach if you have at least one auxiliary member who is gathering and delivering items to an organization that is not specific to a Veterans’ service organization. 

Let others know that you are with the VFW auxiliary and are volunteering your time/services to help this organization when dropping off your donations. This collecting clothing, shoes, household items, appliances, furniture, medical equipment, etc., for organizations such as, House of Grace, Hope Ministries, etc. 

Auxiliary Outreach Program Award: Most outstanding photo collage created by the VFW Auxiliary of their VFW Auxiliary Outreach partnerships during the current Program Year. Citation and $25 to one VFW Auxiliary in each of the 10 Program Divisions that creates the most outstanding photo collage of their VFW Auxiliary partnerships during the current Program Year. So, remember to capture pictures of all the amazing things you are doing in your communities.

Denzel Washington once said, “At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished…it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” Let’s continue to extend our services and give back by volunteering and helping our communities and organizations within our communities.

Scholarships August 24

Lanell Thornton (662)549-2856 email

Our new year has begun! There are so many exciting changes this year regarding scholarships, especially the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Essay Scholarships. As your Scholarship Chairman for 2024-2025, it is an honor and a privilege to work closely with our auxiliaries and posts to help fund education, not only for our members and their families, but also deserving area students.

Each month I will recognize a scholarship and offer more information regarding the scholarship, as well as ways to bring the scholarship to the attention of the auxiliaries and area communities.

Here are the scholarships offered through the VFW Auxiliary.

1) Continuing Education Scholarship

2) Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest

3) 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest

In addition to the Auxiliary scholarships, we also work with the VFW to promote the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy Essay Contests. These contests are open to students from public, private, and parochial schools, as well as online and home study schools.

4) VFW Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy

New changes for the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy Essay Contests include online submission and online judging. To learn more about these scholarships, visit the VFW page at www.vfw.org, Community, Youth and Education.

(VFW members will get Scholar App training at the August 24 SOI)

Legislative August 24

Rebecca Todd 901-262-8183 email

Hello to all my Advocates!

This is a long time program that is very important and together our advocacy continues to make positive changes for our veterans. 

We fight to get laws changed and bills passed that will make veterans’ lives better. So get involved, know the issues, visit the VFW website, sign up for Action Corps weekly which allows you to show your support for bills before Congress and will automatically send letters to our representatives for you.

We have to stand up for veterans rights and the benefits they have earned and deserve.

Here are some things that will make us
better advocates and improve our
advocacy efforts: 

  • Become familiar with the VFW Priority Goals – then share this information with other VFW and Auxiliary members
    during meetings or in newsletters.
  • Know where elected officials stand on veteran issues – then be prepared to draft letters for upcoming legislation.
  • Sign up for the VFW Action Corps Weekly – then invite others to sign up.
  • Respond to VFW Action Alerts – then spread the word for others to act.
  • Get involved with town hall meetings -then encourage others to attend.
  • Be sure to vote in all elections – then assist others with the voting process

Scholarship June 24

Beth Crow EMAIL

We’re at the year end for our Scholarship Program. I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you who have participated in the program. Thank you to all the people who helped and advised me in this first year as a program chairman. I hope that I have been of some service to you and your auxiliary.

I am looking forward to see how our entries for the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest do at National. Join me in wishing Edi-Ann and Adriane the best of luck. Both are talented artists and are heavy contenders for prizes at National. We had some awesome entries this year and I hope that we have even more in the coming year. Remember it is never too early to start promoting our scholarships.

Those entries not sent to National will be displayed at State Convention. If your auxiliary sponsored an artist please pick up their artwork before you leave.

Thanks again to everyone and I hope to see you all at State Convention this month.

Respectfully,

Beth Crow, Scholarship Chairman 2023-2024

VFW Auxiliary, Dept of Mississippi

Scholarship May 2024

Beth Crow EMAIL

The Scholarship Program is winding down for the year. I’m proud to say we have an entry in both the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest this year. It has been a very successful year for our Scholarship Program. I want to thank everyone for all the hard work and time you put into the program to make it a success.

Our entry for the Young American Creative Patriotic Art contest entitled, “Good Boy”, is drawn by Adriane Luke. Adriane is a sophomore at Newton County Academy and is sponsored by Auxiliary 12124.

Our entry for the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest entitled,” Mamaw’s Memories”, is made by Edi-Ann Mitchell. Edi-Ann is a senior at Pillow Academy in Greenwood and is sponsored by Auxiliary 9832.

I wish both our contestants the best of luck at National. I think Mississippi might just be bringing home a winning entry. All of the art I received was exceptional and I’m proud of our Mississippi young people.

National will begin pushing out all the department winners on their Facebook page on June 3rd. Please take the time to look at the awesome artwork our youth has produced.

Those of you who sponsored artists that were not sent to National may pick up the art work at the convention this month.

Respectfully,

Beth Crow, Scholarship Chairman

VFW Auxiliary, Dept of Mississippi

Veterans & Family Support April 2024

Becki Todd 901-262-8183 EMAIL monthly report form

“Soaring Above and Beyond for Our Veterans”


Greetings to All My Super Supporters!
Congratulations to everyone! All of your reports have been received and recorded. I want to thank each of you for the hard work and dedication you have shown this year with the care, love and support given to our veterans, their families and our active duty military members. We could not do this without YOU!


Even though the reporting year is over this does not mean that our support stops. Our veterans deserve everything we can do for them. Please continue to make visits and calls to check on our veterans and their families, taking meals, transportation to appointments and donating to service organizations such as Unmet Needs, Disaster Relief, Suicide Prevention and 5th Squad.


We CAN and DO make a difference! Keep up the great work!


“Banding Together for Our Veterans”

Scholarship April 2024

Beth Crow 662-552-9481 EMAIL monthly report form

downloadable scholarship forms

Hello everyone. I hope this finds you all well. We are finishing up the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and 3-D Patriotic Art Contest. I hope that everyone got plenty of great entries. Your winning entry is due to me by April 15.

Please make sure each entry has the entry form, the Art Release Form, and the <200 word description of the process behind the Art Work.

If you are shipping your entry, please allow ample time for it to arrive by April 15. Make sure that you package the Art Work well for shipping. I suggest you use acid free packaging to avoid damaging the piece. Make sure you use something sturdy to back the piece when shipping so that it cannot be rolled or bent. Clearly mark the package as Art Work, Do Not Bend, Fragile, or whatever you feel necessary to insure the postman does not roll up the package and shove it in my mailbox. If you feel uncomfortable shipping the art work, give me a call and I will try to arrange a pick up.

I am looking forward to seeing all of the entries. I hope to have them judged and the winning piece on its way to national by April 25th. They are due at national by May 5. Hopefully, we will have a winner from Mississippi this year. If you are attending the National Convention please go by the Vendor Hall and take a look at all the national entries.