The VFW 839 Auxiliary Feb. 23 meeting was held on Feb. 19 at the Post Home. President Theresa Sheperd called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. followed by the opening ceremonies according to Ritual. Chaplain Donna Mitchem recited the opening prayer. The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Patriotic Instructor Kay Bell. There were 11 members and one guest Mary Milligan.

Secretary Linda Fuller presented the minutes of January meeting and read the General Orders. There was no correspondence this month. Deb Miller gave the Treasurer report. The report was approved subject to audit.

The committee reports were as following: Diane Welch reported 194 coupons were cut out and sent on. Mitchem reported she has the aprons ready to sew. Will be getting together to help her with this project. Fuller reported on Legislative. She reported that four legislative bills that had passed in 2025. S.141 Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act: S. 928/H.R.4157: H.R. 1815 and S.201 ACES. Beginning 2026 the VFW will focus on these four priorities. Community Care Reform H.R.740/S.275: Alternative Treatments for PTSD H.R. 4837: Transition from the Military H.R. 1845 and Concurrent Receipt. They are wanting for some of the veterans to be able to use cannabis to help function in life.

Old Business: Miller hadn’t heard back from Sheriff Joel about the Food Drive we are wanting to plan for March 28. She will follow up with him.

New Business: Welch brought up again about us updating and organizing pictures and articles in books. The Annual Foreign Food Fair held at Iowa Veterans Home is scheduled for 11 a.m. on March 21. Deloris Clayton has made arrangements with them about the preparation of the food that the auxiliary will be serving. Pam Gosham, Carol Ewalt and Fuller helped again this month at the Senior Citizen’s Center with Big Brother/Big Sister activities. We discussed about having some tip nights for fundraising. Gosham and Fuller will check with a couple of different places to try to set up some dates to hold a fundraiser. Bell made a motion the we donate $150 to help put a bench for Nate Howard on the sidewalk between the Freedom Rock and the Jet. Welch seconded the motion, motion carried. Mike Long made a motion we donate $50 to the All-Veterans Committee to pay the membership, some of the money helps fund the Memorial Day celebration which will be held on the courthouse lawn this year. Bell seconded it. Motion carried. The Veterans Hospital in Sioux Fall, SD has quilt pieces in kits. Miller brought two kits home with her from a meeting in Des Moines. She will get more information on how to put it all together. Year-end reports are due March 31. We will get together at 1:30 p.m. on March 16 at the Post to fill out committee reports so they will be emailed before the deadline. Fish Fries will be held from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on March 6 and March 20. The Auxiliary will help as usual with the food preparation on Thursday and Friday.

The National Home Prayer was recited. Mitchem closed the meeting with the closing prayer and Sheperd closed the meeting with the Ritual.

Next meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. on March 19 at the VFW Home Post. Would love having anyone come and see what all the Auxiliary does for the Veterans and the community.