December 2023. District 26 collected gifts for the Adopt-a-Vet program at Bldg. 331 of the VA-Menlo Park. All six Units were given veteran patient wish lists to fulfill.
Pictured are members from Unit 82 San Mateo, Unit 105 Redwood City, Unit 238 Pacifica, and Unit 585 San Carlos. Unable to attend but contributed are Unit 472 George Tadlock eUnit and Unit 474 Coastside.
November 2023. As our nation pauses for our Thanksgiving holiday, remember our veterans who've sacrificed so much of themselves for our country. This sweet video of WWII veteran Frank Grassburger, 95, demonstrates how a simple act of kindness can impart a lasting effect in a life. Happy Thanksgivings from the members of District 26.
November 2023. Post 105 Family hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Courthouse Square in RWC. Dignitaries included Congressman Kevin Mullin (Dist 15, front right), State Sen. Josh Becker (center row, center), Redwood City Council members Mayor Gee, Elmer Martinez Saballos (3rd row, left) & Kaia Eakin (2nd row, in blue), San Mateo County Veterans Commissioner Vaillancourt (4th row, center), and Foster City Councilwoman & Aux member Stacy Jimenez (2nd row, center). Thanks go to the Int'l Brotherhood of Electrical Workers staged & who set up canopies, chairs, and electrical equipment.
Post 105 Family includes Legionnaires, Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and American Legion Riders. Front row includes two TAL Boys & Girls State citizens and three Aux Girls State Citizens.
November 2023. As this special holiday approaches, please remind your veteran that they can enjoy some local delectable benefits. Three cheers for our veterans for their service to our country.
Peggy accepts her award from San Mateo County Commissioner Hank Scherf.
November 2023. Congratulations to District 26 President & U105 Girls State Chair Peggy Toye for being named Patriot of the Year. She joins Post 105 members in being honored by the Commission: 2022 Patriots Wendy Weller/Andrew Trapani & 2018 Patriot Brenda Ternullo and 2022 Veteran of the Year George Smith, 2019 Veteran Leo McArdle, and 2017 Veteran Romie Bassetto.
October 2023. We lost a dedicated Auxiliary friend. Graciela W passed away unexpectedly this month. Graciela's relationship with the Auxiliary and VA started with a phone call to her employer in 2016, soliciting gift cards for VA patients. She soon melded her hobby of crocheting with the needs of patients and homeless veterans. In the six years of our friendship with Graciela, she's donated upward of 500 pieces of her craft. Her warmth, friendship and kindnesses are terribly missed.
Graciela volunteering at 2018 Legion VA BBQ
2016: 100 hats donated to VA Bldg 331 patients & Chapel and CSM Vet Resource Center
2019: VA resident modeling Graciela's handiwork
2018: Gift bags for homeless female veterans
October 2023. The Redwood City Elks Lodge #1991 invited community teams to assist in packing 300 care boxes for deployed soldiers and 200 care bags for in-need veterans. Oh boy, did the volunteers turn out to help the Elks. Represented were the American Legion Auxiliary Units 105 Redwood City & 585 San Carlos, Boy Scouts, National Charity League, San Mateo County Blue Star Moms, and Young Men Service League. Center front: organizers Tom Giannini and Carol Bagley.
October 2023. A busy morning for Post 105 family members as they enjoyed a delicious military stable: the SOS breakfast. Chef Leo, his wife Carol M, Commander George, Andrew & Patrick served up eggs, meat gravy over toast, and beverages. Afterwards, Boy Scouts Troop 10 and members fanned out to downtown Redwood City and El Camino Real to ask merchants to display our VETERANS DAY CEREMONY flyer on their storefronts and notified specific businesses about street closures for November 11.
October 2023. A TEA-rrific Idea! The George Tadlock eUnit 472 held its first virtual Tea Party which was a sipping success. Invitations with a bag of tea (pictured) were mailed to all Unit members who were asked to share with prospective members, attend via Zoom, and make a donation. Ladies attended wearing brew-tiful hats with teacups in hand! Hope it won't be oolong before they chai this party again. The fundraiser netted a good sum for the pot. Instead of 'thumbs up, ladies,' it's 'PINKIES UP!'
September 2023. Unit 474 Coastside members heard about CA Girls State (CAGS) experiences from Catalina, their Half Moon Bay High Girls State Citizen. To complete their obligation to the program, students are expected to report back to their sponsoring Unit after competing CAGS. Seated in black are officers 1st VP Susan, President Marylan, and Treasurer Jane.
especially for
WOMEN VETERANS
~ Public Event ~
VETERANS WELCOMED
This flyer posted as a courtesy
to the
Peninsula Special Interest
Lions Club
of Foster City
To register: https://bit.ly/45JAwN9
August 2023. Cap Tel Outreach Educator Elizabeth Murphy spoke to Post 105 members re the benefits & availability of this interactive device for the hearing impaired. "Heroes with Hearing Loss" equipment available for free for veterans with hearing loss. Commander's Coffee Cap Tel video available here.
As a service to our community, all D26 Legion Family members are welcomed to join Post 105 at the Commander's Coffee: last Wednesday of the month (9am-12noon) for coffee, light pastries and TBD 10am speaker. Check our D26 Calendar for speaker details. Photo by Carol R.
*Note: Sep 23 is also the Dept.'s Northern CA Workshop
P105: Bob 102-YO, Cliff 92-YO
P105: Vaugh, James, LaReine, Ken
P105: Sandy, Carol B, Tom G, Susan
P105: LaReine, Valerie, Jack
P585: Anthony
U585: Terry
P585: Rick & Bonnie
Post 105's Float Participants
P105: Tom & William
P105 horsing around
P105: Carol B, Tom G
P105's Float
June 2023. We're happy to report one of two senators representing CA at Girls Nation is from D26; Enya was chosen by U585 San Carlos to represent their Unit and Aragon High.
The majority of counselors are returning CAGS Citizens who want to pass it forward to the next generation of leaders. Counselors cover the educational component of civic duties such setting up a city government, election requirements, verifying signatures, and maintaining a supportive, inclusive culture. Photos by Peggy T.
“Thank you SO much for granting me the opportunity to come to Girls State!!! I have learned so much about who I want to be…and couldn’t be happier. I have learned not only to be a leader but a supporter of others, and to find the joy and happiness in others’ success. I have come to realize the amount of volunteering, fundraising, work and effort you all have put in not only to me but to our veterans. I couldn’t have been happier here; I love the girls here and am so honored! Thank you all again.”
One of the most emotional connections for soldiers deployed are the letters from family & friends. Honor Flights is a free program for veterans to travel back to Washington, DC to visit the war memorials. This year's CAGS Service Project was creating "letters from home" to Honor Flight passengers--notes of appreciation from CAGS Citizens and optional small gift card donation. The 500+ cards will be distributed this fall at six different hubs. This year, ALA Liaisons took the lead in organizing the Service Project in order to relieve the CAGS staff of an additional responsibility. The notecards were purchased/donated by Units 105 Redwood City, 238 Pacifica, District 26, and Bea Gunn (U82 CAGS Chair). Thanks to the Liaisons who took on this project: D26 President Peggy T (lead), Noella P, Donna C, and Sherry C.
Girls & staff braved the 95*F heat to complete the project within an hour. All envelopes included a poppy and gift card. Photo by C. McReynolds
"Waterfall, waterfall, shhhhh," said Liaison Peggy. That's how 450 students quieted within seconds to hear about their Service Project task. Photo by C. McReynolds
2023 80th CAGS Session: cards of gratitude for veterans' service.
Mail Call was the 20th century soldier's social media.
2023 Service Project: Letters from Home--Mail Call
Students were asked to imagine being a soldier only a few years old than them, away from home, and their only connection to family, friends and home was Mail Call. Above are samples of the hundreds of notecards collected last week. Photo by C. McReynolds
June 2023. Dept. President Glenda Schultz's theme this year is "United as One" and her motto is "California, the Golden State." Photos provided by Peggy T.
June 2023. A newly-released video of the April ceremony remembering the 81st anniversary of the Bataan Death March was released. Post 105 American Legion Riders participated as the firing detail. As stated in the video's description: "The 81st commemoration of the Bataan Death March was held at the San Francisco national cemetery. Friends and family of Filipino and American soldiers were joined by numerous city officials and military personnel who remember the brave sacrifices that were made during World War II. Cecilia Gaerlan of the Bataan Legacy Historical Society and daughter of a Bataan Death March survivor organizes this annual celebration and says the lessons learned from the past are still important today."
June 2023. D26 officers were sworn in by U474 President Marylan Askins. Between these ladies, there is over 42 years of volunteer experience with the Auxiliary. These ladies hold dual roles/responsibilities with their home Unit and the District! ALA motto: Service, Not Self.
President
Peggy Toye U105 Redwood City Girls State Chairwoman
1st Vice Pres.
Bonnie Shrier U585 San Carlos 1st Vice President
2nd Vice Pres.
Cindy McReynolds U105 Redwood City Secretary
Secretary
Susan Schabinger U474 Coastside 1st Vice President
Treasurer
Brenda Ternullo U105 Redwood City Treasurer
Chaplain
Janice Key U238 Pacifica President
Student engagements examples: harness energy from door swings to charge a battery; volunteer for Wildlife Center & Hearts of Africa, food banks, Boys & Girls Club & clothing collection, ACEing Autism; create EnviroScore app to measure one's environmentally-friendly acts; and built safe roads in Costa Rica. Outside organizations included Naval Sea Cadets Corps, Boy Scouts of America, and internships at universities.
CAROUSELS OF PICTURES - Click right-left arrows on pictures for more views
Citizen refers to an individual who finished the CAGS Program.
Delegate refers to a student before completing her CAGS program.
ALA Liaisons are onsite at CA Girls State to teach about the ALA programs and provide support to students & the counseling staff.
To learn more about the Auxiliary's California Girls State program or to donate, contact CA.Aux.District26@gmail.com
This section's
photographs contributed
by
William Jackson, Jr.
Volunteers on Saturday hail from: American Legion Auxiliary Unit 105 Redwood City, National Charity League, Young Men’s Service League, Foresters Financials, Sorority Beta Sigma Phi’s local chapter Xi Pi Delta & Nation’s Finest.
On April 29 with a plethora of helping hands from the community, SM County Blue Star Moms supplied the food stuff and hygiene goods for 150 care boxes and 150 care bags. Recipients will include soldiers, at-risk veterans, SM County Veterans Services, Nation’s Finest, Operation Care & Comfort, and VA-Menlo Park Bldg. 360. National Charity League young ladies were also approached about applying for the Auxiliary GIRLS STATE in the future.
Auxiliary & friends opening snack supplies
Young Men's Service League readies his boxes for closure
2022 Ugly Sweater Party pictured below.
Pictured: Treasurer Brenda, 1st Vice Arlene, Secretary Susan, Chaplain Janice, 2nd Vice Cindy, and President Peggy.
February 2023. D26 had its monthly meeting at Post 238 Pacifica and enjoyed a casual, social lunch afterwards at Sparks Restaurant at the golf course across the way. On a regular basis, D26 Units rotate hosting duty. Pacifica hosts again in March followed by U474 Coastside (Half Moon Bay) for April & May.
District President (U105 2nd Vice) Peggy spent an additional day as business mentor for her robotics team, Robotic Eagles, as they prepare for competition in March.
Lloyd J. Tobey American Legion Post & Unit 585 ring out the new year with a sweater party.
Matt and Bonnie may have won this year's contest.
December 2022. Ugly sweaters, anyone? Unit and Post 585 of San Carlos pulled out all the stops (and sweaters) for their contest. Happy Holidays, everyone, from District 26! Bonnie's the 'light' of the party.
December 2022. Due to a mishap with the usual toy donor, expected donations were not to be had for Toys for Vets (T4V). Through generous donations from our six Units, Post 105, CA Girls State Dept. Committee officers, and personal friends, we were able to purchase $1800+ worth of toys to the Veterans Affairs-Menlo Park T4V program. In addition, the 'Foster City Buy Nothing' community, Marine Corps League, and Marine's Toys for Tots also donated gifts. In-house patients submitted their list of 70 children they'd needed gifts for. Volunteers from Unit 105 and Bank of America selected gifts, wrapped & labeled patient family bundles, and delivered the bundles to multiple buildings on campus.
The District was informed of the dearth of toys on Wednesday, December 14; that night solicitations were made to the Auxiliary, Posts (via the ALA), and local communities. By Sunday morning, we were buying toys with pledged funds and receiving drop-off toys. This three-day collection for T4V embodies our District's synergy of working together to fulfill our mission of helping veterans and military families. As often stated at Girls State, "we make it work."
December 17, 2022. Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA. So many volunteers took time to place wreaths--Blue Star Moms, American Legion family, Veterans of Foreign Wars, US Volunteers, Boy Scouts, and more. (Photo by A. Napitan)
December 16-17, 2022. ALR escorted the Walmart trucks to the cemetery on Friday and participated in the flag line at GG Nat. Cemetery on Saturday. (Photo by K. Toye)
VA Appreciation
January 2023. Recreation Therapists Irene and Rishoo sent their thanks for our holiday gifts.
December 2022. The American Legion Auxiliary welcomes SAN MATEO TROOP 61802 for their contributions to Veterans and VA patients. In November, the youngsters visited Post 105 Redwood City to recognize Veterans. The Troop continued their community service by dropping off over 50 holiday cards to accompany the District's holiday gift collection. This marks the third Girl Scouts troop currently collaborating with Unit 105. The College Park San Mateo Troop is working on a project for early 2023.
December 2022. District Auxiliary received this sweet note from a veteran resident at VA-Menlo Park. This missive epitomizes the results of our holiday efforts. The Auxiliary makes a difference.