At the February meeting of the Niles American Legion Auxiliary, Veteran Administration representative Barbara Parks reported the Christmas gift shop was very successful.

The gift shop is a program where the auxiliary buys gifts, usually clothing, for every veteran at the Battle Creek veterans’ facility.

Plans are made to send a junior high school girl from Brandywine to Girls State. This session will be the 71st for Michigan. Funding for the program is provided by the American Legion Auxiliary. Participants may be eligible for college scholarships, which range from $1,000 to $20,000.

The auxiliary believes that educating youth about the basic ideals and principles of government will ensure the survival of democracy. Girls State is a unique citizenship training program in which auxiliary members guide the youth of the nation toward an understanding, comprehension and appreciation of their roles as United States citizens.

Bea Flarida replaces Debbie Wolf as sergeant of arms because of her resignation.

It was voted to change the Niles Unit meeting to the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
The meetings are held at the Fraternal Order of Police lodge at the north end of State Street.

April is Children and Youth Month. There is a home for military kids that have one or both parents deployed and have no place to go. It’s called The American Legion Children’s Home in Ponca City, Okla.It has been around since 1928 and now houses 62 children ages 11-18.

The next meeting is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at FOP Park.

The Fourth District meeting of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Michigan was held Sunday, March 6 at the American Legion Post in Buchanan.

Delegates attending from Niles were Treasa Wetzel and Bea Flarida. Barbara Parks and Dorothy McLaughlin and Eiko Thompson were delegates at-large.

All past district presidents were recognized.