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PHOTO: Members of Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary 39 put together backpacks for children entering the DHHS system. From left, Cindy Savoy, Wanda Kranz, Ann Cody, Merrilyn Vieira, Pauline Bell, Nancy Drew and Betty Price; back row, Robin Turek, Amy Washburn, Irma Fluet, Nancy Misiaszek, Harriet Bryant, Shirley Emery and Diane Pinkham. (Submitted photo)
MADISON — In observance of April as Children and Youth Month, members of the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary Unit 39 donated backpacks for local children entering into the foster system.
The backpacks were filled with essential items such as clothes, pajamas, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries, hats, mittens, hygiene products for the older children and toys. Included this year were many socks from the Auxliary’s “Drive-Thru Sock Hop,” which was held in February.
The items will all benefit the children who will enter the Department of Health and Human Services system. Most children enter with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. The backpacks provide them with items they can call their own in hopes that it makes the transition a little easier for them. This year, with the generous donations of items from the membership and the Auxiliary purchases, the Auxiliary donated more than $800 worth of items, which included 25 backpacks for the program.
To learn more about the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join visit www.ALAforveterans.org or www.mainelegionpost39.org, or contact Robin Turek, president, American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit 39, P.O. Box 325, Madison, ME 04950.
