AUXILIARY

AMERICAN LEGION POST 186

PROGRAMS

GIRLS STATE

The Girls State program offers high school students an opportunity to experience the workings of state and federal government functions including: leadership, patriotism, self-worth and confidence which helps prepare them to take their places as productive and successful members of our society. Entry forms are available at the high school guidance office each spring. Our unit is proud to sponsor 2 girls each year.

POPPY PROGRAM

Each year, our unit purchases poppies made by veterans. The poppies are then given away for a donation and all monies collected are in turn donated back to the veterans. We offer them at the post as well as other locations in the community. We are always pleased with the generous donations from the public.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

The Auxiliary is deeply concerned with America's children and young people. They represent our future. This past year our Unit donated $1000 to Children’s Miracle Network from our 50’s Dance and canteen. We have also adopted a grandmother and her 2 grandsons, and at each meeting we collect groceries and household items to be given to this family.  $250 was donated to this family at Thanksgiving and another $500 at Christmas.  Each year our unit also holds an Easter egg hunt for the children in our local elementary special education program.

VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION

In our National Veterans Affairs program, more than 100,000 hospital, field and home service volunteers give millions of hours to assist our veterans.  Here in our unit, our efforts include: This past year the proceeds from our annual golf tournament $7500 and $1000 worth of DVD movies were donated to The Fisher House at Fort Bragg, NC.  We made trips to the VA Hospital in Charleston and to Womack Medical Center at Fort Bragg where Veterans and the Wounded Warriors were given “goody bags” that were filled with toiletries, writing paper and pencils, socks, puzzle books and other items.  Our unit won 1^st place for VA&R at our State Convention.

 COMMUNITY SERVICE

Our Auxiliary has always been involved with community service and supports many local community programs. This past year we donated more than $14,000 to Mercy Hospice, Helping Hands of North Myrtle Beach, Waves for Kids, Children’s Miracle Network, through a variety of fund raising events. These included a golf tournament, Murder Mystery Dinner, 50’s dance, Luau, Crafts Fair and raffles.  We also have adopted a family who we assist all year.  Our Unit won 1^st place for Community Service at our State Convention.

AMERICANISM

Each year, students from our local schools are eligible to submit their essays for review.  Essay subjects are determined and announced by Department Officials.  Students in grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 are eligible to enter.  Completed entries are reviewed by Unit members and 3 winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd place) are selected within each group.  U. S. Savings Bonds are awarded to each winner and their entries are then forwarded to the State for the next level of judging. Our 7^th grade winner this year also won 1^st place at the State level.

NATIONAL SECURITY

Our Unit was able to start a Blue Star Mothers Chapter.  We along with the VFW Auxiliary stuffed stockings and donated $500 for troops overseas.   We clipped and mailed coupons to 20 overseas bases. We visited wounded warriors at Womack Army Medical Center at Ft. Bragg and presented them with goody bags and $1000 in DVD movies.