March 29, 2024

American Legion Ladies Auxiliary wants you

Ladies Auxiliary is seeking new members

Newton and Jasper County has arguably been in a Renaissance the last few years when it has come to supporting the more than 3,000 estimated veterans who call the county home.

There have been a number of organizations that have supported this Renaissance, but the Newton American Legion Post 111 Ladies Auxiliary in particular is finding itself in need of members to continue its staunch support.

“We are always in the process of trying to recruit new members. Unfortunately, we lose a lot of older and long-term members, and it’s always nice to get new members,” auxiliary secretary Judy Brassfield said.

Like the Legion itself, the group is nonprofit and seeks to help better life in the community for veterans. Brassfield explained some of the things that the group takes part in.

“We serve all the veterans and families,” she said. “Unfortunately, we also do a lot of funeral lunches. We help serve the beef and pork dinners, and we do our pie sales during that, which helps support our high school scholarships that we give away every year.”

The ladies give away scholarships in $500 increments, and the number of scholarships they give out is dependent on the amount of money they raise during the year. They also help prepare and serve for “Football Friday Nights,” Legion steak nights and both the Memorial Day and Veterans Day services.

“We distribute poppies for both Memorial and Veterans Day services, and we do a wreath ceremony,” Brassfield said.

The group has made it pretty clear that helping veterans is its No. 1 priority, but another member, Donna Randolph, spoke on some of the unintended benefits of being a member of the ladies auxiliary.

“I only moved here three years ago,” Randolph said. “My sister was a member, and she asked me to join. Since then, I’ve gotten to know so many people in this area, including the veterans. It just does my heart good when I talk to them, and it’s such a blessing. I’m glad we can do this, and they appreciate it so much.”

There are only a few requirements for any female who is interested in joining the group. They can be a mother, wife, sister, daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter or a grandmother of a current member of the Legion.

Or, if they have one of those titles and are related to a deceased veteran who served during the World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada/Lebanon, Panama or from Desert Storm and any conflict since then, they also may join.

Ladies also may join the auxiliary if they themselves are a veteran from the time-frame related to any of those conflicts.

“It’s such an honor (being a member),” Randolph said. “I’ve been in many organizations, and this one is just amazing. I’m proud of what we do for our vets and our country — just amazing.”

Staff writer Ty Rushing may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 426, or at trushing@newtondailynews.com.