The VFW Post 3289 Auxiliary met January 12 with 10 members present.

Minutes from the December 8 meeting were approved, and the December 31 Treasurer’s Report was filed subject to audit.

Thank you cards and letters were received from the Fergus Falls Veterans Home, the Fargo VA Health Care System, Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne and the New York Mills Civic & Commerce.

  Committee reports were given.  Important dates for January and February were noted and ways to properly show respect to the American Flag were covered. Winter hat and glove donations to the VFW National Home for Children and a poppy display will be taken to the Mid-Winter Conference. We still lack four members.  Contact Celia Piippo if you know of anyone who may be interested in joining the Auxiliary. Awards were presented to the local Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy contest winners after Christmas due to weather and the school being closed. The deadline for entries in the Red, White and Blue singing contest and art contests is March 31.

  The Auxiliary will be making Valentine cards for the Fergus Falls Veterans Home on Saturday, February 4.

  Recognition activities for First Responders and School Bus Drivers are not scheduled yet.

Other business:

• Formed an ad hoc committee for retention and storage of Auxiliary records and another committee for planning and hosting the District 9 meeting in New York Mills on March 11.

• Approved a $500 family aid grant, a $100 donation to the VFW Commander & Presidents Special Project MACV for Homeless Veterans, and a $70 donation to the Fergus Falls Veterans Home for the purchase of adaptive clothing for residents.

•  Discussed holding a food shelf event this spring.

• Reviewed and approved the Audit Report for October 1-December 31, 2022.

• Draped the charter for Sandy Germany (National President 2005-2006), Bertha Anderson (9th District President 1983-1984 and Department of Minnesota President 1990-1991), and Carmen Ellingworth (3289 Auxiliary Member) who passed away recently.

Our next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.