May 28 is National Poppy Day

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Members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, Madison, will be distributing bright red poppies in exchange for a donation throughout the Month of May at various businesses in Madison. The Flanders Fields poppy has become an internationally-known and recognized symbol of the lives sacrificed in war and the hope that none died in vain. The American Legion Family called upon Congress to proclaim the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day, which was officially designated as such in 2017.

Honor the country’s fallen warriors and contribute to the continuing needs of our veterans on National Poppy Day, May 28, 2021.

“Wearing the poppy on National Poppy Day and throughout Memorial Day weekend is one small way to honor and remember our fallen warriors who willingly served our nation and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit #39 President Robin Turek. “We must never forget.”

The poppy also honors hospitalized and disabled veterans who handcraft many of the red, crepe paper flowers. Making the poppies provides a financial and therapeutic benefit to the veterans, as well as a benefit to thousands of other veterans.

When The American Legion Family adopted the poppy as its memorial flower in the early 1920s, the blood-red icon became an enduring symbol of honor for the sacrifices of our veterans from the battlefields of France in World War I to today’s global war on terror. The American Legion Auxiliary raises about $4 million each year distributing poppies throughout the nation, with 100 percent of the funds raised going directly to help veterans, military, and their families.

The American Legion Auxiliary is a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families. Members also support the mission of The American Legion in improving the quality of life for our nation’s veterans. More than 600,000 ALA members across the country volunteer millions of hours annually and raise millions of dollars in service to veterans, military, and their families. Founded in 1919, the ALA is one of the oldest patriotic membership organizations in the U.S.A.

To learn more and to volunteer, join, and donate, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org or our local unit at www.mainelegionpost39.org.

Madison Legion Auxiliary donates backpacks to needy children

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Pictured, front row, from left to right, Cindy Savoy, Wanda Kranz, Ann Cody, Merrilyn Vieira, Pauline Bell, Nancy Drew and Betty Price. Back Row, Robin Turek, Amy Washburn, Irma Fluet, Nancy Misiaszek, Harriet Bryant, Shirley Emery and Diane Pinkham. (contributed photo)

submitted by Harriet Bryant

In observance of April as Children and Youth Month, members of the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison, donated backpacks filled with essential items such as clothes, pj’s, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries, hats, mittens, hygiene products for the older children and toys. Included this year are many socks from their “Drive-Thru Sock Hop” which was held back in February.

These items benefit the children who will enter the Department of Health and Human Services System. Most children enter with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. These backpacks provide them with items they can call their own in hopes that it makes the transition a little easier for them. This year, with the generous donations of items from the membership and the Auxiliary purchases, the Auxiliary donated over $800 worth of items which included 25 backpacks for this program.

To learn more about the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforveterans.org www.mainelegionpost39.org. Or contact Robin Turek, president – American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, PO Box 325, Madison, ME 04950, or robinturek@gmail.com – 696-8289.

Auxiliary observes Military Child Month

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Madison American Legion Auxiliary, front row, left to right, Amy Cody, Irma Fluet, Betty Price, Merrilyn Vieira and Grace Rollins. Back row, Holly Kinney, Pauline Bell, Diane Pinkham, Harriet Bryant, Amy Washburn and Nancy Drew. (contributed photo)

Military Child display (contributed photo)

Members of the Madison American Legion Auxiliary wearing purple conducted the Military Child’s Table Setting Ceremony at their recent meeting. The potted flowering plant symbolizing that a military child may flower and flourish where they are planted.

The hand spade recognizes that they may be transplanted to a new place in the world at a moment’s notice.

Birthday hat and unlit candles, along with the baseball and glove and ballet slippers represent special occasions that are missed.

Family photo depicting a child with his or her uniformed parent/parents demonstrates our country’s strength.

American flag to remind us that families are united in their commitment at home or away.

Madison drive-through sock hop big success

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From left to right, Robin Turek, Auxiliary president, Sharon Ziacoma, Geraldine Jenks, Ann Cody, Nancy Misiaszek, Harriet Bryant, Holly Kinney, Irma Fluet and Grace Rollins. (contributed photo)

Members of The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, of Madison, held a “Drive Thru Sock Hop” on February 27 to the beat of ‘50’s and ‘60’s music. With collection boxes, monetary donations and socks donated the day of the event, a total 1,289 pairs of socks were received. They well exceeded their goal of 100 pairs for the “100 Challenge” which is a challenge set forth by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Maine president to help bring awareness of the American Legion Auxiliary’s 100th birthday. These socks will be distributed to homeless veterans, homeless shelters and others in need.

Big thank you to Reny’s and Family Dollar, of Madison, as well as Sun Rayz Tanning & Hair Salon, in Skowhegan, for displaying collection boxes ahead of the event. American Legion Auxiliary members have dedicated themselves for over a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of nearly $2 billion.

To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org or http://www.mainelegionpost39.org/. Or contact: Robin Turek, President – American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, PO Box 325, Madison, ME – robinturek@gmail.com – 696-8289.

Drive thru sock hop in Madison

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Madison American Legion Auxiliary is sponsoring a Drive Thru Sock Hop, at Madison American Legion at the back entrance facing Reny’s, on Saturday, February 27, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Donate new socks for homeless veterans, homeless shelters and others in need. Men’s, women’s, teenagers, children – warm socks and every day socks.

Members of the auxiliary will be outside waiting for donations with ‘50-’60s music.
If you can’t make the Sock Hop, there are drop off boxes at Reny’s and Family Dollar, in Madison, as well as at Sun Rayz Tanning & Hair Salon, at 171 Waterville Road, in Skowhegan.

If you are unable to get to the drop off locations or the Sock Hop, monetary donations are accepted and they will purchase the socks. Make checks payable to Madison American Legion Auxiliary, earmark Sock Hop, and mail to Madison ALA, P.O. Box 325, Madison, ME 04950. For more information, contact Harriet at 635-2051.

Madison legion donates boots and coats

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Bags of clothes donated to the Madison American Legion. (contributed photo)

The American Legion Tardiff-Belanger Post #39, in Madison, recently donated boots and coats for 38 students in need in school districts RSU #74 and MSAD #59 from the generous donations from local businesses and members.

The American Legion’s Mission: The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.

Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing them with “comfort items” and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities.

The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation’s veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.

The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

To learn more about Madison American Legion or to join, visit http://www.mainelegionpost39.org or call 696-5848

Legion auxiliary pie sale a great success, raises over $1,000

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Madison American Legion Auxiliary members, left to right, Sharon Mellows, Pat Santoni and Lisa Turner prepare pies. (photo courtesy of Madison American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39)

From left to right Diane Pinkham, Ann Cody and Tammy Giguere having a good time preparing pie fillings. (photo courtesy of Madison American Legion Auxiliary
Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39)

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, Madison, traditionally holds a turkey supper every November which they serve anywhere to 150 to 175 people with the proceeds to benefit local food cupboards. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, they decided to have a Turkey Pie Sale in which Hannaford, of Madison, donated some turkeys, Reny’s, of Madison, donated some pie plates, Apple Tree Bakery gave them a discount price for pie boxes and members also donated some of the items needed and their time making pies. Twenty-five turkeys later, 118 pies were made and were all sold a week before the scheduled date of pick up on November 7. The were able to donate $1,050 among five local food cupboards – Madison, Anson, Starks, Norridge­wock and Solon. This is another way the American Legion Auxiliary supports the community.

From left to right Diane Pinkham, Ann Cody and Tammy Giguere having a good time preparing pie fillings. (photo courtesy of Madison American Legion Auxiliary
Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39)

American Legion Auxiliary members have dedicated themselves for over a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of nearly $2 billion. As part of the world’s largest patriotic service organization, Auxiliary volunteers across the country also step up to honor veterans and military through annual scholarships and with ALA Girls State programs, teaching high school juniors to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org or http://www.mainelegionpost39.org/. Or contact: Robin Turek, President – American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, PO Box 325, Madison, ME – robinturek@gmail.com – 696-8289.

Madison Legion Auxiliary donates school supplies to seven schools

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The Madison American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39 supports community programs such as Children and Youth. Each year the members of the Auxiliary donate school backpacks filled with school supplies. This year, because of the unknown at the beginning of the school year, the unit reached out to the community. With the generosity of cash donations and school supplies from auxiliary members and community members, the American Legion Auxiliary of Madison was able to donate over $700 worth of school supplies and backpacks to seven schools in the Madison and Anson area.

American Legion Auxiliary members have dedicated themselves for over a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military, and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of nearly $2 billion. As part of the world’s largest patriotic service organization, auxiliary volunteers across the country also step up to honor veterans and military through annual scholarships and with ALA Girls State programs, teaching high school juniors to be leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. To learn more about the auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org or http://www.mainelegionpost39.org/. Or contact: Robin Turek, President – American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit #39, PO Box 325, Madison, ME – robinturek@gmail.com – 696-8289.

Turkey pie sale planned in Madison

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A turkey pie sale, curbside only, will be held at the back entrance of the Madison American Legion Hall, on Saturday, November 7, 2020, from 3 to 6 p.m., at 20 S. Maple Street. Each pie is $10, and pre-orders are encouraged, call Charlotte at 696-3375 by October 30. For every purchase, your name will go into a drawing. Proceeds to benefit the local food cupboards. FMI: call Charlotte at 696-3375 or Harriet at 635-2051.

This event is hosted by Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison.

American Legion collecting school supplies

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American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, Madison is once again collecting school supplies for children in our local schools (Madison MSAD #59 and Carrabec RSU #74). With all the uncertainties ahead this year, the need is even greater. Here is a list of the items needed: rulers, erasers, pencils, colored pencils, ink pens (blue, black & red), crayons, glue sticks, backpacks, pouches for binders, 1″ binders, 1 subject notebooks and college ruled filler paper.

Items can be dropped off in the collection box at the Madison American Legion Hall, 20 South Maple Street, on Wednesdays and Fridays, after 3 p.m., and on Sundays noon to 4 p.m. If you would like to send a monetary donation, make checks payable to Madison ALA, PO Box 325, Madison, ME 04950 with School Supplies in the Memo.

Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) helps to advance the mission of The American Legion. With more than 600,000 members, the ALA is one of the nation’s most prominent supporters of veterans, military, and their families. ALA members volunteer millions of hours annually, with a value averaging $1.1 billion each year. From helping to draft the GI Bill in 1944 to advocating for veterans on Capitol Hill. The American Legion Family has been instrumental in advancing legislation that improves the quality of life for our nation’s veterans. If you would like to become a member contact Robin Turek, president, at 696-8289.