New Members and New Ideas in McVille
A young couple moved into McVille about a year ago. They both found jobs in the area and settled in. It was discovered that the young man was a veteran. Quickly, he became a Legionnaire, and the Auxiliary gained a new active member as well.
Morgan attended meetings and listened carefully and took in a lot of information. Soon, this new member became a new mother. Well, the unit decided we would pay for a Junior Membership for baby Sophie, thus gaining two new members. Good for us! Two new members and one interested in being active.
During our unit’s January meeting, we discussed asking the elementary school in town to make valentines for local veterans in the nursing home and the assisted living facilities in McVille. We had asked them before and so appreciated the efforts of all the children.
Rather than just having students create cards this time, Morgan excitedly floated a great idea. Morgan thought if the children had a different venue and a different project, that we could get valentines made and delivered to the veterans easily. We could just see the ideas circulating in Morgan’s head! The ideas just kept coming! Make it a Saturday project at the welcoming McVille Library/ City Auditorium. Ask a veteran to share stories and answer questions such as “What is a veteran?” We would invite parents or other interested adults to take part and serve valentine cookies and treats! Morgan was just bubbling over with ideas for this new project.
Morgan envisioned inviting local children and anyone else interested to come to the library/auditorium on February 8th and create Valentines for Veterans. Unit members thought this was a wonderful project. One member would make treat bags for the children in a Valentine’s theme, we would invite a veteran to speak about just what a veteran is, craft items were lined up, the advertising was ready to be posted, and the cookie recipe was ready to be used to make cookies.
It is so exciting to have this local project come together so quickly for the community in support of our children and youth and veterans at the
same time. Thank you, Morgan, for your fresh ideas and welcome to Ole Semling Unit 135 of McVille.
Last fall, I received information from the Department Secretary on some of the many members of Unit 500 (the Department Unit). I wrote letters to 148 members in that inactive unit, and we are delighted that our unit has over 10 members that transferred into Unit 135. Where there is incentive, there is a way! We are so excited to gain these new members and new transfers.
Submitted by: Judy Twete, Unit 135 President and Department NEC (2025-2027)