CASSADAGA — The Cassadaga Legion Auxiliary Unit 1280 held its regular monthly meeting at the Legion Post, Nov. 10 with 10 senior members attending; five officers were present. Guidelines were followed according to the governor’s protocol; masks were worn, social distancing was observed, and sanitizer was available.

President Lauren Sharp opened the meeting in regular fashion with the Pledge of Allegiance, the Preamble, a moment of silence for our fallen soldiers, and prayer from Chaplain Paula Pattison. Secretary Carol Baker read our previous meeting minutes; a motion was made and seconded to accept. In the absence of treasurer Sue DeGolier, Paula Pattison gave the financial report; it was referred to the audit committee. Correspondence was read by the President.

Reports by the committee chairs were as follows:

Tuesday, Nov. 10 was the American Legion Auxiliary’s 101st birthday. Due to COVID restrictions in 2020, the Auxiliary will continue to celebrate this accomplishment through 2021. Unit 1280 is displaying posters in Post, and photos on our slide show televisions commemorating the milestone.

Chaplain Pattison reported that Unit 1280 has recently lost two members; she sent out sympathy cards to the families, and get-well cards to those in need.

For Children & Youth Unit 1280 participated in the village of Cassadaga Halloween. We set up a table out front of the Post and greeted all the ghosts, princesses, super heroes, dinosaurs and more that stopped by for the candy and books we had for the occasion. We estimate we had about 70 children visit us; it was a fun, but chilly evening for all.

For Community Service/Cancer, a Unit member and; Squadron 1280 member cleaned up the leaves around the Post building, and two Unit members gave blood in October.

Historian Ranee Kaus is keeping track of the Unit’s activities and documenting them with pictures and articles for the history book.

Pat Hayward noted that the Juniors continue to collect cans and bottles to benefit the food pantry, and they are also working on Christmas cards to send to the Veterans in local Senior homes.

Legislation chairperson Sally Lawson brought in an article about school aid being cut by 40%.

She included the names, phone numbers, addresses of our representatives for us to contact, stressing the importance of our need of that money to help our rural school districts.

Membership chairperson Lawson reported that she has had a good response to the dues notices that were sent out; early count has Unit 1280 at 55% for 2021.

Unit 1280’s dues are $25, and they can be paid by bringing them to the Post or mail them to: Cassadaga Auxiliary Unit 1280/ PO Box 497 / Cassadaga, 14718.

On National Security, Hayward reported that she and Pattison continue to cut and categorize “Troopons” that benefit our military families.

Poppy chairperson Carol Baker reported we have received our 2021 poppies.

Public Relations chairperson Kaus continues to submit our articles to the newspapers.

For Veterans Affairs and Rehab, although the VA hospitals are not able to accept items at this time due to the COVID restrictions, we continue to collect items for future distribution.

Warriors Family Assistance chairperson Bev Speelberg has names and addresses of our local active service people.

Old Business:

¯ Our annual Vendors Showcase/Bake Sale went very well with lots of happy shoppers and vendors.

¯ Unit 1280 helped with the Cub Scout Pack 219; Troop 219 annual Veterans Day Spaghetti dinner. This year it was take-out only, Saturday, Nov. 14th

New business:

¯ Due to COVID restrictions, we will not be holding our annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Post.

¯ We will do some Christmas decorations, in early December, at the Post

¯ Our next meeting will be Tuesday Dec. 8th, 6:30 p.m., in our Veterans hall.

¯ Village “Winterfest” celebration in the works for early February; involvement tabled for a future meeting.

With no further business at hand, Chaplain Paula gave a closing prayer, and; the President closed the meeting at 7:30 PM.

Unit 1280 has nice corn brooms for sale @ $12 each; and Unit 1280 continues to collect stamps, “Pennies for Hospice”; and “can tabs for Troop support.” “Troopons” (coupons) now need to be only manufacturer coupons — cut, and put into categories:

¯ Unexpired, or Expired (not more than 2 months)

¯ Sub-categories: *Food items, *Non-food items, *baby food/items, *pet items; all labeled and; put in separate bags.