American Legion Auxiliary
District 26 of San Mateo County
In Memoriam: Cora Jean Kleppe, 1929-2024
Cora Jean leaves a legacy of generosity, caring and commitment to our veteran community. Below are a few of the many activities she participated in and helped make successful. Her giving and compassionate nature is greatly missed.
This picture epitomizes Cora Jean's caring as she offers candy to a veteran/patient during the 2017 VA-Menlo Park Bldg. 331 Holiday Party. She was an active member of Unit 82 and attended the monthly dinners.
2015 VA Palo Alto Polytrauma Unit: tree donated by Cora Jean and her sister Sally.
Cora Jean with her sister Sally (next to her in green) wrapped gifts for veterans at the 2017 VA-MP "Toys for Vets" program. She and Sally were active with the VA Palo Alto facility as well--donating the 7' Christmas tree for the polytrauma unit and decorating the trauma center every Christmas before Covid.
2017: Cora Jean with Unit 82 delivered 100 snack gift bags to the San Mateo Police Department.
Photograph by U105 K. Toye
Excerpted from CA Auxiliary News Hub, Apr-May 2024
25-30 Auxiliary CA Girls State
SF Bay Area Welcomes CA Dept. President Glenda Schultz
March 2024. District/County Presidents. Seated: D8 San Francisco Teresa Canonizado, D11 Contra Costa Vicky Bean, DEPT. PRESIDENT Glenda Schultz. Standing: D10 Alameda Susan Mar, D26 San Mateo Peggy Toye, D13 Santa Clara Leah Williamson.
March 2024. D26 President Peggy, Unit 585 San Carlos President Marci Lyzun, Diana Johnson, D26 1st VP Bonnie Schrier, and D26 2nd VP Cindy McReynolds. D26, Unit 105 and Unit 585 presented donation gifts towards Dept. Madam President's Special Project: "Be the One," Veteran Suicide Prevention.
Post 105's Menu
Super Bowl Parties
Sunday, February 11
Kickoff is 3:30pm
Post 105 - 651 El Camino Real, Redwood City
Post 474 - 470 Capistrano, Half Moon Bay
Post 585 - 1159 Bush Street, San Carlos - includes Chili Cookoff
VA Bingo
February 2024. VA-Menlo Park bldg. 331 residents enjoying a game of Bingo.
Feb 2024. Through the guidance of D26's president, volunteer Ana (Brown Uni shirt) donated her time with her mom to work the bingo game. They both volunteered during the Super Bowl as well.
Auxiliary and Ana's family donated t-shirts, mugs, and snacks prizes for the residents. VA provided snack & beverage prizes as well. Donations are welcomed and can be collected by D26.
Unit 82
San Mateo
EVENT
Feb 18
Coming to the Bay Area
Baby Shower for Military Families
January 2024. Unit 585 San Carlos and Unit 472 Virtual Unit both contributed baby gifts for military families. Units from all across California were asked to donated gifts towards a "Baby Shower" for our military families.
Above Left: Collection of donations by Unit 585 San Carlos.
Above Right: Unit 472 Virtual Unit donated two travel diaper backpacks.
Left: Unit 105's newest member, Mary, purchased four sets of onesies for infants.
Gifts werecollected at the annual mid-year Department (state level) Executive Committee meeting & conference, January 19-21, in Sacramento.
Dept. Executive Committee Collection
DEC Collection
WELCOME TO DISTRICT 26
SAN MATEO COUNTY
Welcome to the New Year. District 26 stands poised to resume activities with the VA at Menlo Park, provide supplies and support to our Veterans, and offer social outlets for our six Units' family and friends.
Feel free to join any of our Units in their endeavors to assist our Veterans, Military families, and our greater communities. For more information about each Unit, use this link.
2023 Auxiliary's Season of Giving
VA's Toys For Vets
December 2023. U105 Redwood City wrapped free gifts for VA patients. This yearly event supports veterans with various issues--PTSD, homelessness, drug addiction, hearing impairment, etc. L-R: Pauline, Joyce, Peggy, Cindy, Arlene and George.
December 2023. District 26 (as represented by U105) returns to the VA for the first time since 2019. Though the District continued to fulfill patient gift wishlists from 2020 to 2022, the pandemic prevented us from entering the building due to the compromised health of the patients. GS Troop 61740 is represented by Ana (2nd from left) and her mom Lena (far left). Ana and her sister Lindsey donated 1000 face masks to U105 in July 2020. U105 was warmly greeted by 103-year-old Mr. Perez. He, along with other veterans, expressed their gratitude and joy in being remembered by the Auxiliary. Several of them were so surprised to received their gift because they didn't recall being asked for a wish list. Video link of volunteers & staff.
District 26's holiday gifts with VA Rec Staff Kim, Irene and Rishoo. D26 President Peggy (2nd from left) and D26 VA&R Deputy Arlene (far right).
College Park Girl Scouts Troop 61740 donated 80 handmade holiday cards.
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.
