President: Thank you for a successful Fall Conference

Did you attend Fall Conference? Did you like the new look and feel? Thursday evening was well-attended, and a lot of information was shared. Thank you to Carol Kottom, Judy Ackerman, Christie Avant and Nancy Lewison with North Star Honor Flight for your informative presentations.

Thank you to Department Auxiliary Emergency Fund Chairman Joan Krantz, everyone who helped her setup and worked, all of those members who donated items and, of course, bid on items. The silent auction raised $6,906. The Fall Conference service project for the St. Cloud Stand Down was overwhelmingly supported by the American Legion Family.

So many items donated, and we were able to present $2,585 in monetary donations to Stand Down President Bob Behrens and Treasurer Joyce Albu. Thank you to everyone for the donations. Friday night the second annual Poppy Making Contest was well-attended. The American Legion Family made a lot of needed poppies for our program. Some new poppy makers tried it and found out they enjoyed the challenge.

There is exciting news for our members. The new American Legion Auxiliary Department website went live Nov. 15. It has a great look and is user-friendly. Please be patient as the transition happens.

Other news is there will be new annual reporting Zoom video meetings in 2026. The dates and how to sign up are in the November unit mailing and will also be on the website. Annual reporting forms are usually not sent out until January, but this year your unit will receive them by Nov. 30. This will help units see what chairmen are looking for in each program and you will be able to plan accordingly.

Has your unit looked at all of our wonderful Auxiliary programs that you can support? We need to remember to take care of our programs to ensure that we are serving our mission. Programs include the $5 Bill Shower, ALA Hospital Program, Gift Shop, Fisher House, Department Scholarship and the Past Presidents Parley Scholarship Funds, supporting our Girls State program, and the Department President’s Project. The donation form was in the first unit mailing and can also be found on the department website.

November is a busy month as we are honoring all veterans who served in the military. It is a day to thank all veterans for their service and acknowledge their contributions to our nation. As our mission states, “to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad.” Honor your veterans and all veterans by thanking them.

How did your unit celebrate the American Legion Auxiliary’s birthday on Nov. 10? Send me a photo and small write-up and I will include it in the December unit mailing.

The first week of December starts our Gift Shops that our home and hospital representatives are busy getting ready for. If you would like to volunteer, reach out to the representative. Wreaths Across America is Dec. 13. Check their website for locations to volunteer or donate to.

The Pearl Harbor Rally will be Dec. 6 in Buffalo. Cost of the meal is $20. People can register online at mnlegion.org by clicking events. Or you can register by mail by sending a check to American Legion Post 270, 304 10th Ave. S, Buffalo, MN 55313. Be sure to list the names of who is eating. The social hour is at 11 a.m. with the meal at noon. The program follows the meal.

The end of the year brings no greater joy than the opportunity to express how grateful I am for you, the members of Minnesota. I have been blessed this year being your Department President and having the opportunities that I have been given are unbelievable. My highlight is meeting members and serving with and for you. With this being the last Legionnaire for 2025, may your new year be filled with happiness, love, joy and success.

Robin Dorf of Monticello Unit 260 is the president of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Minnesota. Her theme is “Promoting Our Mission by Working Our Programs.”