THE CONNECTICUT AUXILIARE #4
American Legion Auxiliary, Dept. of Connecticut, Inc.
December, 2016
PO Box 266, Rocky Hill, Ct. 06067-0266 PH: 860-616-2343 Fax: 860-616-2342
Email: [email protected]
Web Site: www.alactdept.weebly.net
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
“Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.” Don Marquis
Well, Ladies,
Winter is just about upon us! YUK! With it comes the most joyous of holidays, whether it is Christmas,
Hanukkah or some other form of celebration. Please remember our Veterans during this special time of year.
I would like to personally thank all those that attended the Testimonial for Commander Louie, Commander Rich
and I. It was amazing to see so many people there! It was truly an amazing evening and I will cherish it forever!
Please make sure you get your mid-year reports to our Chairmen so they may give good reports to the Divisional
Chairmen. Toot your own horn! Everyone out there does something at some time that we all need to hear about.
A reminder to anyone who has not renewed their dues; as of December 31st you will be in arrears with your dues
as we are a pay ahead organization. Membership chairmen should contact all their members that have not yet
renewed to remind them of this. We are still behind our numbers from last year and I would think we would
want to look better. We need to grow our organization in order to take care of our Veterans, our Children and
our Communities.
I wish to apologize to everyone for not having been to as many places as I would like to have been. My job is an
issue at this time, but hopefully after the holidays it will be straightened out.
Thank you to everyone who has helped or is helping with the Christmas Shops. It is our biggest undertaking and
many hands have made lighter work. Thanks go out to all the Posts and Units that have made donations for this
project.
Please plan on attending the Mid-winter Conference. We have many things planned that I hope will be
educational and inspirational for everyone. It is being held on January 28 th at the Trumbull Marriott. There will
be a DEC meeting on Friday night at 7:00 and all are welcome to attend.
Please get the attached Education grant applications out to your schools.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year!
Marge Sunbury
Department President
860-621-2304
860-639-3011
[email protected]
In Memoriam
Unit 45
Unit 66
Unit 66
Unit 80
Unit 80
Unit 89
Jacqueline Screen
Mary K Sutcliffe
Barbara Lamark
Helen Rookey (HLM)
Lillian Beauregard
Yolanda Mazzola
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Unit 100
Unit 101
Unit 101
Unit 105
Unit 112
Unit 209
Dorothy Grana
B Glennis Hopkins
Irene Percoski
Wanda Rochette
Elizabeth M Vopicka
Patricia A Lamothe
Chaplain
December a month of memories, a month of celebration, a month of serious reflection….a month ending the
calendar year. We remember Pearl Harbor on December 7th looking back on that day in 1941 and what later
ensued. We celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa each in our own way. We take time to reflect on the
year that is ending….then celebrate on New Year’s Eve the coming of a new year. With so many important
happenings in December, it is fitting to quote Psalm 100:
Shout with Joy
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness
continues to each generation.
Lorraine Dixon, Department Chaplain
([email protected]) 203-758-5443
MEMBERSHIP
The holidays are already here – where did the time go? I feel as I have let many of you down when I look at the
membership numbers for our Department. At this time of the year we should be well into the final stretch of
collecting dues so we can put our energy into the projects for our Military, Veterans and their families during the
holiday season. Instead I have to report that as a Department we are only at the 50% of our annual goal. I take
much of this responsibility as I have tried to be lenient and not push our Districts on doing Membership but now
I must come out biting! We need to push now and get membership in so we can work all of our programs! Why
not offer to pay dues for someone as a holiday gift or ask a Legion member to “gift” a membership to an eligible
candidate?
I am pleased that we do have a few Units that have met their goal for the year. Congratulations to Units 14,
34, and 154. We have many that are well on their way but I am saddened Madame President Margery has so
many Units without any membership into Department yet. WHY? Ladies, DO NOT HOLD MEMEBERSHIP!
Your Unit should be preparing transmittals and forwarding it directly to Department immediately! If you need
help completing a transmittal or getting the documentation to the Department office, please reach out to me.
Remember that our annual dues are part of every Unit’s fundraising - without members and paid dues, many
Units do not have funds to survive and work our Missions. Our National Organization has even made it easier
for members to pay online (www.alaforveterans.org) or call directly at (317) 569-4500, ask to speak to
Membership -speak directly with a LIVE PERSON and pay with your credit card. (Why not get some extra
points out of it by paying by credit card if you can?)
“There are always new places to go fishing. For any fisherman, there's always a new
place, always a new horizon.” Jack Nicklaus
Laura Santino
Dept. Senior Vice President
860.573.5028
[email protected]
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Happy Birthday
December 18th
Donna Morin
241 Monroe St
New Britain, CT 06052
December 21st
Helen Goewey
17 Laurel Lane
Prospect, CT 06712
Historian
Hello Historians,
It is that time of the year. Mid-year reports are due no later than January 3, 2017 to me so that I can have them in
by the 15 of January to National. If you do not have a report just send me an email saying no report, all reports
can be emailed to me or snail mail. We have a lot coming up with the Christmas Shops, Pearl Harbor Day,
getting ready for Christmas and Mid-Winter Conference. Have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season.
In the Spirit of Service not Self
Department Historian
Karen Franzese
203-632-8695 home or 203-512-0026 cell
20 Washington St. Fl.1
Naugatuck, CT 06770
[email protected]
Americanism
Hello Members,
Yes, it that time of year to show your colors. Please show respect for our flags. Please replace torn or faded flags
correctly, use proper flag etiquette. Don’t forget your patriotic holidays. If you are sending care packages to our
troops, put a pocket flag to let them know that we are praying for them and that we care. Make sure to thank all
our veterans for their service, and what they mean to us for allowing us to live in a free world. How about
helping a veteran family for the holiday? It brings great joy to see how happy they are when they receive our
help for the holiday. I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy Christmas. For God and Country.
Americanism Chairman,
Janet L. Young
Children and Youth
With the holiday approaching, we cannot forget our military children. Adopt a military family and provide
items they need for the holidays. You can prepare a meal basket, gifts and stockings for the children. Gift
cards for food, clothing and toy stores are always welcome.
Host a holiday party for children and grandchildren of veterans and the military. Provide small gifts for each
child and/or offer a toy store gift card.
Check your local homeless shelters for veterans with children. Provide treats for them, host a party, make
stockings, and offer gift cards. Remember to include your juniors for these projects.
Take pictures, with permission, and include them with your report. Be sure to report.
Thank you for making the holidays special for our children.
Alcyne Welton, Chairman
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Child Welfare Foundation
Attention:
Units, please send into the department office what your unit has done so far this year to raise funds for the
CWF and how much you have already raised and will be sending into department. As chairman, I need to send
a mid- year report to the National chairman by December 20th. Thank you all in advance
Joyce Brinley
Child Welfare Fund Chairman
Constitution and By-Laws
Just a reminder, I need all District and Unit Constitution & Bylaws and Standing Rules. The Committee will
review them and submit them to Department office. Department requires all copies to be on file. Please
email them to [email protected] or you can mail them to me at 28 Seneca Road, Bristol 06010
Thank you!
Jane Wright, Chairman
Constitution & Bylaws
Education
Education Applications are available on the department’s website @ www.alactdept.weebly.com and have been
mailed out to each unit president. Please feel free to make as many copies as needed.
JoeAnne Jackson
Education Chairman
Juniors
The Junior girls have been working hard! Senior Vice President Cassidy Jones is holding a department wide
incentive program for any new juniors that you sign up. For every new junior paid to the department that a
senior member signs up, they will have one entry into the drawing and every new junior paid to the
department that a junior member signs up, they will receive TWO entries into the drawing. The drawing will
take place during mid- winter and the winner will receive a guest pass for four to
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. There is a form with instructions attached to this Auxiliare. Any questions,
please don't hesitate to ask!
Also, the juniors are asking you to save your old used clothes that you would drop off for donations! They will
be holding a donation drive fundraiser in which they will earn $.20 a pound for all clothes that they give to the
Big Brothers/Big Sisters. They will take clothing, jewelry, fashion accessories, handbags, shoes and household
linens. As soon as the date is set, they will let you know!
Finally, it is time to hand in your mid-year reports! All unit chairman please send in your junior reports and if
there is no chairman at your unit, presidents will you please send in the report by December 15. I would love to
know what your juniors have been doing, how seniors have been mentoring juniors and if any juniors have been
working on the Patch program.
As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Kristin Jones, Junior Activities Chairmen
[email protected] or 203-671-7447
Legislative
I hope you all have signed up for the Legion Legislative Alert so you know what important Legislative matters
are coming up, this will allow you to send messages to your state representatives to support legislative actions
affecting our veterans. Please let me know by email that you are signed up so I can put it in my report, please
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include your name and unit. Thank you and remember one person can make a difference and that one person
is you. [email protected]
Lisa LaCoursiere
Legislative Chairman
Past President’s Parley
Past President’s Parley grant applications are attached, Please make as many copies as needed.
Joyce Brinley
Past President’s Parley Committee Member
Poppy
As you well know, the deadline for submitting poppy orders is December 31, 2016. If your Unit or Post usually
distributes poppies but has not sent in an order form, please remember the deadline is fast approaching! Above a
all, please fill in the date on the form just before you will be distributing poppies so that they can get to you in
time. Show our veterans how proud you are of their service to our great nation!
2016 - 2017 Poppy Order Form
Complete this poppy order form and send it with full payment to American
Legion
Auxiliary, Dept. of CT., P.O. Box 266, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-0266. Full payment must
accompany order for it to be processed.
Post/Unit #_________ District #________. Poppies are $120.00 per thousand.
Check #________ in the amount of $________ for ________ poppies is enclosed.
PAYABLE TO: American Legion Auxiliary, Dept. of CT. Poppy order is requested
no later than (date) _________________________________________________
Contact name (please print) __________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
City/Town ________________________________________________________
Phone ____________________________ Cell __________________________
E-mail address for notification of completed order _________________________
Orders received after April 1, 2017 will be processed at the discretion of the Poppy Team!
Public Relations
Hello,
As we approach mid-year it is time for me to report to National on what we have been doing. Please all district
public relations chairmen I need this information from you. Units, you have tracking sheets that you can fill out
and either email or snail mail to me or to your district PR chairs. But I need to have something from everyone!
We want CT to shine! What am I looking for – newspaper articles, letters to the editor, photos showing use of
branded items, Facebook or twitter items that were posted – I will take anything and everything. Deadline
12/15/16, send to 230 Plains Road, Coventry, CT 06238 or [email protected].
Wishing you and your family a most Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Janice ‘Flipper’ Sentivany
Public Relations Chairman
[email protected]
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Veteran’s Affairs and Rehabilitation
Happy holidays to everyone. Please let me say thank you to everyone who helped to make the holiday a happy
one for our veterans and their families. Kindly take time to visit a veteran or their family so they know they are
not forgotten during the holiday season. Mark your calendars to come to Mid-Winter conference and find out
more about our programs. Don't forget to get your midyear reports in by Dec 10. See you at the Christmas
shops.
Raelene Miller, VA&R Chairman, email [email protected]
Phone 203-378-4016(h), 203-212-4212(cell)
Secretary/Treasurer
The Holiday season is upon us and as we start to celebrate with our families and friends please take time to
remember our service members and their families who cannot celebrate together this joyous season. Thank you
for all that you do to help enhance the lives of our veterans, active duty military and their families. I wish you all
a wonderful holiday season whether it be a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah or a Happy Kwanzaa and
a wonderful New Year.
For God and Country
Nancy Hansen
Department Secretary Treasurer
Dec 1-3
Dec 3-5
Dec 3
Dec 8
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 14
Dec 21
Dec 24
Dec 25
Dec 31
Jan 1
Jan 8
Jan 11
Jan 12
Jan 18
Jan 19
Jan 25-27
Jan 27
Jan 27-29
Future Dates
Feb 12
2/26-3/1
March 4
March 11
March 25
April 1
June 9,10,11
DATES TO REMEMBER
3rd District Revitalization, Post 100 Bethel, 10-1pm each day
Christmas Shops West Haven VA
6th District Christmas Party at the Log House
7th Dist. Mgt. Post 113, Old Saybrook 6pm. Pot Luck Dinner, Brinley Auction
1st Dist. Christmas Party, Bristol Post 2
4th Dist. Mgt. Legion Only Post 26, Stafford Springs 2pm
2nd Dist. Mgt. Post 76, North Haven, 7pm
3rd Dist. Mgt. Post 74 Fairfield, 7pm
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Day
4th Dist. Mgt. Post 67, North Grosvenordale, 2pm
2nd Dist. Mgt. TBA
7th Dist. Mgt. Post 206, Middletown Page Hall 7pm
3rd
Dist. Mgt. Post 143 Stratfield, 7pm
5th Dist. Mgt. Post 9, New London, 7pm
2nd District Revitalization, Post 24 Derby, 10-3pm each day
DEC Meeting 7pm, Trumbull Marriott
Mid-Winter, Trumbull Marriott, Trumbull
4th Dist.Mgt. Putman, Legion Only
Washington DC Conference
Department Oratorical Contest
2nd Annual Department Bowling Tournament
1st District Testimonial, Nuchies Restaurant. Flyer is attached.
Past President’s Spring Parley, Waverly Inn, Cheshire
Special Olympics Connecticut
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Unit and Post Happenings
Bingo: Wolcott Post 165, Every Friday and Saturday Night, Doors open at 5 games begin at 7pm.
Kitchen open, Smoke Free, Plenty of Parking. Proceeds benefit Auxiliary and Legion Programs
Bingo; Norwalk Unit 12, Every Monday night, Doors open 5 Games Begin 7pm, Kitchen Open Smoke
Free.
Bingo: American Legion Post 195, every Monday night, 62 Bunker Hill Rd. Watertown.
Doors open at 5pm Bingo stats at 7pm. Free coffee and pastry. Drinks and food available.
6th District Fundraiser: Rada knives if interested contact Sandy Cruz at 203-768-1345 for a catalog.
Messages from the Department Office

Unit Bonds: Unit Bond Payments are Now Due. All Units must submit payment of $15.50
to the Department Office. This payment covers your unit for 3 years. Thank You to those
that have already sent your payments in...
 District Secretaries: Please send to department Office your monthly meeting times and places.
 Auxiliare Messages: All information, messages or announcements that you would like in the
Auxiliare must be submitted to the Department Office no later than the 20th of the Month in
order for the Auxiliare to be out on time.
 Membership Transmitting: When processing membership you must submit a transmittal
form. Copies were in the PIC packets and you can make as many copies as needed. Please do
not hold membership, mail it in as soon as you receive the renewals, members are not
considered paid until they have been processed through to National.
 Sample Letter to Legionnaires: A sample letter that your unit can use to contact female
relatives of the Post’s membership is available at the Dept. Office. If you would like an
electronic copy that you can customize for your unit contact the department office at
[email protected] or call 860-616-2343. Ask your Post for a copy of their Membership
Roster.
 National Website: sign up today to the member’s only portal on the National website. While
you are there sign up for the e-news, keep up on what’s happening at the National level, in
other departments and units. There is a wealth of information just waiting for you to access.
 “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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American Legion Auxiliary
Department of Connecticut
PO Box 266
Rocky Hill, CT 06067-0266
DATED MATERIAL
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