The VFW Post 3289 Auxiliary met December 12 with 11 members present.

Minutes from the November 14 meeting were approved, and the November 30 Treasurer’s Report was filed subject to audit.

The General Orders Bulletin for December 2024 from the Department President was read and discussed. The Mid-Winter Conference will be held January 10-12 in Brooklyn Park.  We received a thank you from the Fergus Falls Veterans Home for the placemats that were colored by members of the community at the New York Mills Christmas Tree Festival.  Thank you notes were received from Auxiliary members for medical and other grants.

Committee Chairs gave an update on our programs for 2024-2025.

In other business:

• Heard a report of community service hours and other donations for October.

• Approved a sponsorship for the Special Olympics Minnesota fundraiser on Otter Tail Lake February 1, 2025.

• Approved adopting three residents at the Fergus Falls Veterans Home and purchasing Christmas presents for them.  Auxiliary members will shop and deliver the gifts.

• Approved donations to the VFW National Home and the National President’s special project “Operation Bottom Cover” which supports service members who are parents of infants and toddlers.

• Approved payment of bills.

• Extension and Revitalization Chair Kathy Rosenthal presented Myrna Baumgart with a Good Job Award for her work as Auxiliary Secretary.

• Auxiliary members are participating in community outreach as bell ringers for the Salvation Army during the holiday season.

• Funds raised from the Auxiliary’s “Bells for Veterans” project at the Christmas Tree Festival were donated to Santa Anonymous.

• Soldier Care Packages were assembled and mailed on December 9 to area military personnel who are currently serving.

• The District 9 meeting in Barnesville went well.  The next district meeting will be March 15 in New York Mills.

• See our Facebook page “VFW Post 3289 and Auxiliary” for information on events and updates on activities.  There is a separate Facebook page “VFW 3289 Post and Bingo” which has additional information on club hours and Bingo.

• The VFW Post and Auxiliary will have a get-together potluck at the VFW at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 25.

  Our next Auxiliary meeting will be Thursday, January 9 at 6 p.m.