People Helping People

Alexandria, Virginia

Members from Auxiliary #871 participated in the City of Alexandria's 16th Annual Walk to Fight Breast Cancer on October 24, 2009. These nine walkers raised $3,109 and it was their first time participating in this event. "We had so much fun that we can't wait to do it again next year!"

1st row, right to left: Tillie Crim, Vickie Parshall, Shelly Wells
2nd row, right to left: Aletha Massingale, Marsha Kidd, Cathy Huff, Patti Ross, Carol Stedman, Robin Hossfeld

Alton, Illinois

The Hutch School, the special charity of 2008-09 Grand Madam President Pat Durham, received a $100 donation from Eagles Auxiliary 254. Madam Conductor Diana Smith and Madam President Mary Ann Hetzel presented the check to Pat when the then-Grand Madam President visited the Auxiliary.

Burlington, Washington

A $3,000 donation from Eagles Auxiliary 3242 will purchase large-print books for the sight-impaired. Auxiliary 3242's Vonnie Coonrod presented the check to Maggie Buckholz of the Burlington Library Foundation. The money was raised by Vonnie and a crew serving dinners on Aerie/Auxiliary meeting nights.

Crystal River, Florida

Shands Hospital's Children's Cancer Unit received a donation of $300 from Eagles Auxiliary 4272. The money was raised at a St. Patrick's Day dinner hosted by the Eagle Sisters. A representative of Shands Hospital accepted the check from Past Madam President Dudie Carpenter, Madam President Deborah Wigginns and Barbara Erickson.

Eugene, Oregon

Lap robes were made and donated to Operation Homefront-Oregon by members of the Eagles Aerie/Auxiliary 275 Rolling Eagles Camper Club.

Greensburg, Indiana

Defibrillators for local fire trucks will be purchased with the $3,890 donated to the Greensburg Fire Department by Eagles Aerie 927.

Secretary David Colson (far right) presented the check to, l-r, Mayor Gary Herbert, Fire Capt. Ron Clark, and Chief Scott Chasteen.

Longview, Texas

At their annual Scholarship Dinner, Eagles Aerie/Auxiliary 4125 presented $4,000 in college scholarships to area students.

Sleepy Hollow, New York

A $500 Eagles Jimmy Durante Children's Fund grant was presented by Eagles Auxiliary 1042 to Caroline Sandler, supervisor for Heeling Autism, a program of Guiding Eyes for the Blind that trains dogs to to prevent a child with autism from bolting and increase his/her level of independence, confidence, and social acceptance. Presenting the check to Ms. Sandler was Anita Dieckman. The local Auxiliary has raised and donated more than $3,000 to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind program.

Vancouver, British Columbia

CHILD is an organization that helps youngsters with Crohn's and liver disease. Recently, Eagles Aerie 2075 Past Pesident Ron Watson presented former Deputy Premier Grace McCarthy with $604 for the organization. Ms. McCarthy is director of CHILD.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

The "Elvis for Diabetes Night" sponsored by Eagles Aerie/Auxiliary 3204 raised $1,917.

Pictured are Co-Chairman Connie Shiera, Sterling "Elvis" Riggs, and committee members Mary Burch and Jim Wynne.

Wichita, Kansas

Members of Eagles Aerie 3251 got together to build a ramp at the home of Aerie Chaplain Rollin Dillinger after heinjured his leg in an auto accident and was confined to a wheelchair.

Atlanta, Michigan

Thunder Bay Eagle Aerie 4077 donated $1,319 to the Montmorency County Veterans Monument Fund.

The money was raised through a raffle. The first-place prize of a black powder rifle went to Phillip Hooper of Atlanta. Bill Pappas won the $200 second prize.

The Eagles thank Rays New and Used Guns for donating the rifle, and Mike Wurtsmith of Trophy Class Real Estate for sponsoring the tickets.

Pictured l-r: Roger Portice, co-treasurer of the fund; Paul Godi and Jim Zavislak; Worthy President Charles Scott; and Worthy Vice President Wayne Portice.

Bakersfield, California

Eagles Auxiliary 93 is hard at work raising money and awareness for needy children and families. Last June, a Father's Day Luau brought in $500 for foster children waiting to be adopted.

"These kids put themselves and their hearts out there," said Jr. Past Madam President Opal Morland. "This year funding has been cut due to the economy. So the Bakersfield Åuxiliary raised funds to furnish back-to-school supplies and a BBQ for these kids.

"The Morro Bay Eagles hosted a fundraiser and invited us to perform. These are wonderful Eagles who allowed me -- a former foster child -- and my own foster daughter to tell our story through hula. President Stephanie and State Officer Darlene Viera and all those that helped made Jamm'n Island Hula feel like stars!"

Barton City, Michigan

The Eagles Auxiliary 4141 "Troop Group" has been sending packages to our soldiers in Iraq for the past five years. "Last July 1," says Madam Secretary Debra Holtzman, "we were honored with a visit from two of the many soldiers that received packages. They were both from Midland Nation Guard 1460th. SSG Edna Taylor, retired, was in Iraq in 2004. SSG Berry Wilson returned in June after his second deployment to Iraq.

Pictured with (front row) SSG Edna Taylor, SSG Berry Wilson are, middle row, l-r: Barb Sutton, Bev Runge, Judy Moore, Lois Loyd, Ann Arnold, Rozy Carson; and back row: Marj Forsyth, Mary Lee Cordes, Wand Kaminski, Debby Holtzman, Nancy Pihlstrom.

Elma, Washington

The Aerie/Auxiliary 1440 Eagle Riders joined forces with the East County Lions club to provide Christmas baskets for 10 local families last December. Pictured are members of both groups prior to delivering the baskets in over 10 inches of snow. "This is the second year that the Eagle Riders have done this," notes Persident Brad Peckham, "and the first with the Lions Club. We are in the process of raising funds for school supplies and for the holiday baskets for this year."

Hallock, Washington

Sara Woodard and Elaine Baker of the Hallock Senior Center accepted a $1,000 Eagles Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund grant from Aerie 2617 Worthy President Mike Totleben.

Laurel, Montana

Last August was designated "Larry Vennes Benefit Month" at Eagles Aerie 2564. A burger feed, breakfast, meat raffles and donations from Aerie, Auxiliary and friends raised $2,106 to assist cancer patient and Aerie member Larry Vennes.

Pictured are Worthy President Rudy Groshelle, in the center holding the envelope, and Larry Vennes, in the black Sturgis shirt and white cap. Second from right in the blue shirt are Worthy Treasurer and PWP Arlen Kovach, along with other members and friends

Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Eagles Aerie 706 recently held a food drive for the local Peter's Pantry. A total of $220 was raised that evening, and in addition numerous boxes of food were donated. Presenting the check to Roseanne Erdmann from Peter's Pantry is Don Yanda, Worthy Vice President. Witnessing the presentation are Worthy President Joe Castro and Aerie Secretary Bob Kloida.

Peru, Illinois

"As I enter my sophomore year, I am thrilled to be attending Northern Illinois University. During my freshman year, I was able to cumulate my GPA to a 3.48 on a 4.0 scale," wrote Justin Bubb to members of Eagles Aerie 2688, after he received a scholarship from the Aerie.

"I plan to graduate with an Accounting degree in 2012, and return for a fifth year to receive my graduate hours needed to be able to take the CPA test in Illinois. My long-term goal is to become the CFO of a major corporation," added Justin, who received his scholarship check from Trustee Paul Ribas.

Justin is the son of Eagle Tony Bubb.

Salem, New Jersey

On August 15, 2009, the Eagle Angels of Auxiliary 1966 raised $1435 for the Breast Cancer Bridge of South Jersey, a community non-profit charitable foundation that assists women through their journey with breast cancer. The program, designed by Doris Moore, R.N., a breast cancer survivor, empowers newly diagnosed cancer patients with the answers to questions they didn't know to ask and the resources they didn't know existed.

Attending were Madam President Susan Livingston, Madam Vice President Verna Kurman, Jr. Past Madam President Shirley Vanneman, Madam Secretary Tiffany Fisher, Madam Treasurer Thelma Pruette, Madam Conductor Beverly Crouse, Madam Trustee Joyce Milligan, Madam Chaplain Cindy Fisher, Madam Outside Guard Evelyn Shuman, and members Mary Samuels, Paula Schamp, and Sandy Kennedy.

Westminster, Maryland

Eagles Auxiliary #4378 participated in the annual Memorial Day Parade last May. Pictured are Madam President Sharon Brothers, Madam Conductor Donna Thompson, member Heather Parkhurst, Madam Trustee Teresa McClanahan, Madam Secretary Sandy Cole, Madam Chaplain Maggie Fish, and incoming Madam Inside Guard (and driver) Sheila Hayes.

Fredrick, Maryland

Grand Madam President Jean Kerr visit the Ten Commandments Monument in Fredrick.

Pictured are: Diana Booth,Madam State Chaplain; Jean Kerr, Grand Madam President; and Tommy Booth, Worthy President

Oceano, California

On October 3rd Aerie and Auxiliary of Five Cities #4153 held a benefit to help support little 4 year old Jackson Flick who is battling a brain tumor. Because of the generosity of members, public and local donating businesses we were able to raise $2365.00.

Naugatuck, Connecticut

On September 19, 2009 the Eagle Riders from FOE #640 of Naugatuck, Connecticut conducted a benefit ride for the Veterans Hospital of West Haven, Connecticut.

The hospital distributed a list of the many items that are required now for the Veterans and for the winter season. Items such as prepaid phone and supermarket cards, socks, knitted hats, gloves, underwear and all the toiletry articles they could get their hands on. The Eagle Riders, local motorcycle organizations and the community were up to the challenge and exceeded the hospitals expectations. Besides the items that were listed, two televisions with an audio visual cart, a DVD player and over fifty DVD’s were also donated.

In appreciation for sponsoring this event, the hospital staff had a cookout for all of the riders and the vets. Allan Banyacsky a.k.a. "Doc" (President of the Eagle Riders), stated that this was the most successful charitable event ever, with regards to the number of riders and the number of items collected.