Celebrating Teachers

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit #81 in El Dorado first delivered apples to teachers in February for Valentine’s Day but were only able to take them to the elementary schools due to the winter storm.

This past week they were able to finish their mission of delivering apples to all the teachers in the El Dorado school district when they took apples to El Dorado Middle School and El Dorado High School.

EHS Principal Bruce Lolling, center, with apples for the teachers from American Legion Auxiliary members Karen Hasting, left, and Virginia Ball, right.

“We know they have had a rough year, so we wanted to let them know that we appreciate them,” said Karen Hasting, member of the ALA Unit #81.

Margie Jordan and Kristy Bieberle hold the apples brought to EMS by American legion Auxiliary members Karen Hasting, left and Virginia Ball, right.

Each basket was filled with gala apples, one for every teacher at each school, and attached to each apple was a note that said “You are the apple of our eye.”

The ALA Unit meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the American Legion George Ball Bingo Hall in El Dorado. All members are encouraged to attend as well as those wishing to learn more about the organization.

The American Legion Auxiliary is an organization of male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion. Some are also veterans.

American Legion Auxiliary

Afghan Fundraiser

The Captain Edgar Dale American Legion Auxiliary Unit #81 held a fundraiser raffle to benefit their veteran’s programs. The prize was a beautifully crocheted afghan made and donated by Donna Church.

The lucky recipient of the afghan was Wendy Michael.

Wendy Michael received the afghan donated by Donna Church.

“This project was created to help raise money for the Auxiliary to give to the veterans,” said Unit #81 Member, Karen Andersen.   

The members of the American Legion Auxiliary participate in a variety of fundraising efforts that allow them to serve the local veteran population and their families. These programs directly and indirectly touch the lives of all Americans. 

Local programs include the Poppy Program, Troop Care Packages, Christmas Gift Shops, Girl’s State, College Scholarships and many others.  

“The American Legion Auxiliary is a patriotic service organization, with more that 900,000 members world-wide,” according to the national organization. 

“With the philosophy of ‘Service, not Self’ the American Legion Auxiliary develops a strong spirit of volunteerism in its members who have joined together in the fellowship of giving to others,” according to the organization. 

To learn more about the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #81 and its membership opportunities, please contact the Captain Edgar Dale Post #81 at (316) 321-3767 or visit the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Kansas website at www.kslegionaux.org. 

Benefit Breakfast and Cornhole Tournament

The American Legion Family is truly one big family and that family came together to support one of its own — the Glaves family.  Legionnaire and Rider, Rick Glaves’ youngest son, Jeff, died tragically last month in a car accident. 

Due to a preexisting medical condition, Jeff was unable to obtain life insurance. Numerous friends and community members have made contributions to help provide for final expenses and establish educational funds for his children, Laynie, Cole and Jesse.

Clockwise from back, Rick Glaves, Kathy Glaves, Cole Glaves, Laynie Glaves and Jesse Glaves.

But the American Legion Captain Edgar Dale Post #81 wanted to do more, so they organized a Benefit Biscuit and Gravy Breakfast and Cornhole Tournament with proceeds going to the Glaves fundraiser.

Full and half orders of biscuits and gravy was served with coffee, juice and water.

According to Steve Seymour, Post Commander, “Rick Glaves is a member and officer of the American Legion and we wanted to do this for his grandchildren.”

“This is what we do,” said Seymour. “We take care of our members, children and youth and this was the right time to do it.”

While the Legion is known for hosting Bingo on Friday and Saturday nights, they have been discussing the possibility of hosting Cornhole tournaments for about a year and a fundraiser tournament was the perfect way to kick them off. 

“We will start holding tournaments on Saturdays, and that will be announced in the future,” said Seymour.

Memorial Day Tribute

Members from the Captain Edgar Dale American Legion Post 81 in El Dorado, didn’t let a little rain on Monday stop them from paying tribute to their fellow brothers and sisters who have given their lives in service to their country.

On Friday and Saturday mornings, they decorated every veteran’s grave at Belle Vista, Walnut River and Sunset Lawns Cemeteries.

“We’re out here with family and friends and American legion family and friends putting flags on headstones and paying our respects to those who have gone before us,” said Post Commander Steve Seymour.

“We will walk the cemetery and put eyes on every headstone in hopes that we don’t miss one. If we do miss one, feel free to call us or stop by the office at the cemetery. We will leave some markers and flags with them.”
They don’t do it to be recognized, they do it to recognize and honor the brave men and women who died for our freedoms.

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While the annual Memorial Day ceremony was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, an American Legion Honor Guard performed a 21-Gun Salute and played Taps at Sunset Lawns Cemetery on Monday afternoon.

“We came to pay tribute to our fallen comrades, said Seymour. “We felt it only fitting since they laid down their lives for us. We can’t do a regular ceremony because of COVID-19 social distancing, but we felt that our brothers and sisters buried here deserve this tribute.”

Hasting Pays it Forward

Karen Hasting, member of the Captain Edgar Dale American Legion Auxiliary Unit #81 in El Dorado, was the Department of Kansas American Legion Auxiliary President during the 2018-2019 year.

She decided to raise funds for Kansas Honor Flight as her year long legacy project. 

Her efforts were noticed by others and she was nominated to receive the PAY IT FORWARD award from DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers together with FOX Kansas and My TV Wichita. 

Hasting is being recognized for making a difference for veterans going on a Kansas Honor Flight.  She will be spotlighted on December 16th on FOX Kansas 9pm news and receive $500.

She is paying it forward and giving that check to Kansas Honor Flight.