CASSADAGA — Cassadaga Legion Auxiliary Unit 1280 held its regular monthly meeting at the legion post recently with 13 senior members attending and all officers present.

Guidelines were followed according to the governor’s COVID-19 protocols.

The evening opened up with a prayer from chaplain Paula Pattison followed by a pot-luck meal. Following dinner, members installed 2021-22 officers, with the installation performed by Pat Hayward, past county and past Unit 1280 president. Installed were: Lauren Sharp, president; Pat Hayward, first vice president; Bev Speelberg, second vice president; Carol Baker, secretary; Sue Degolier, treasurer; Paula Pattison, chaplain; Lynn Moeller, sergeant-at-arms; and Ranee Kaus, historian.

Sharp then opened the meeting in regular fashion with the Pledge of Allegiance, the Preamble a moment of silence for fallen soldiers, and prayer from Pattison. Baker read the previous meeting minutes, which were accepted as read. DeGolier gave her treasurer’s report, which will be sent to the audit committee.

Pat Hayward thanked the unit members that participated in the Post 1280 Memorial Day services. It was noted that junior member, Mattea Hilliker read Flanders Fields at the Cassadaga cemetery ceremony.

Pattison reported that she has sent out cards as needed to Post 1280 families.

Empire Girl State girls Payton Allesi and Grace Zahm will be attending the virtual program.

Unit 1280 Juniors donated money to the Cassadaga Food Pantry and to the Humane Society.

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

Unit 1280’s membership now stands at nearly 95%. Unit 1280’s 2021 dues are $25, which can be paid by bringing them to the post or mailing them to Cassadaga Auxiliary Unit 1280, PO Box 497, Cassadaga, NY 14718. The 2022 year starts soon; those who haven’t paid are asked to pay soon so they don’t lose their continuous years.

Poppy chairperson Carol Baker thanked everyone that participated in the 2021 Poppy Days. She said, considering the COVID situation, the unit did very well distributing the poppies, with all proceeds going to help veterans.

Kaus continues to submit articles to the newspapers and makes posters for upcoming Unit 1280 and Squadron 1280 events.

For Veterans Affairs and Rehab, unit members made Father’s Day favors for the VA and Unit 1280 members continue to collect items for future distribution to the local VA hospitals when the COVID restrictions are lifted.

Correspondence was read by the Sharp that included a Certificate of Appreciation from the Chautauqua County Auxiliary for the unit’s participation in the “Troop-on” project, coupons to help the troops.

¯ Sally Lawson reported that the rummage/bake sale was very well attended.

¯ Unit 1280 held its usual bake sale at Squadron 1280’s first cruise night in May. The next cruise night is from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 29.

¯ The Chautauqua County Auxiliary meeting is Thursday, Aug. 10, at Dunkirk Unit 62; four Unit 1280 members plan to attend.

¯ Lawson said she will be chairing the Cassadaga “National Night Out” on Tuesday, Aug. 6. It is a night to learn about and thank local first responders.

¯ Members present voted to donate money to “Hits for a Cure”, and to an August benefit for a local woman with cancer.

¯ The auxiliary does not meet in July, so the next meeting will be the “dish-to-pass” picnic dinner, Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 5:30 p.m. in the post’s Veteran’s Hall. The meeting follows at 6:30 p.m.

Unit 1280 is selling corn brooms for $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 baggies.