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American Legion Auxiliary assembles birthday backpacks for Chillicothe VA Hospital

By Gretchen Dowler 2 min read

BEVERLY -- The Department of Ohio District 11 American Legion Auxiliary met last Thursday at the Beverly American Legion Post 389 to assemble 120 birthday backpacks for the Veterans Hospital in Chillicothe.

"We are here to serve all veterans, not just the ones in our community," said Lee Ann Stan, the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Ohio District 11 President. "We (The American Legion Auxiliary) are one of the Nation's most prominent supporters of veterans, military and their families."

District 11 is made up of 23 Auxiliary units throughout Muskingum, Noble, Washington, Belmont, Monroe, Morgan, and Guernsey counties. They have selected months to volunteer at the Chillicothe Veterans Hospital, theirs being April and August, for veterans birthday parties.

Those going to Chillicothe this month on Aug. 17 include the District 11 Commander and Auxiliary President, Beallsville Post 768, Beallsville Unit 768, Sons of American Legion Squadron 168, Marietta Unit 064, and Powhatan Point Post 228. Those going will be serving cupcakes, pop, ice cream, and the backpacks to three units at the hospital, which contain 40 veterans per unit. Five people from each of the groups going are allowed to serve the units due to previous COVID guidelines.

"We play nine games of bingo with them and cash prizes will be given," Stan said. "Refreshments will be served and then their backpacks will be presented to them."

Donations that have made the backpacks and birthday parties possible have come from: Mid Ohio Valley Veterans Organization, Martins Ferry Unit 038, Marietta Unit 064, Lowell Unit 750, Roseville Unit 071, Beallsville Unit 768, Beallsville Unit 168, Woodsfield Unit 087, Beallsville American Legion Post 768, and SAL Squadron 064.

"I wouldn't be able to do it without Linda Dornan, from Beallsville Unit 768, and Brenda Waterman, from Marietta Unit 064," said Stan. "They really helped with organizing all of this."

She cited the American Legion Auxiliary Mission Statement which says "In the spirit of service, not self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace, and security."

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