Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Gift Stockings for Hines Hospital

Please join Bolingbrook VFW Post 5917 Ladies Auxiliary and other auxiliaries in District 18 in their effort to brighten the holiday season for long-care-unit veterans at Hines Hospital. During this time of year, the auxiliary fills Christmas Stockings with personal products and small entertainment items for veterans at Hines in the long-time care unit. This service is provided all-year long, but is especially appreciated at this time of year.

Requested items include:
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, shampoo, soap / body wash, deodorant, socks, T-shirts, puzzle books, pens, highlighters, decks of cards, calendars, note pads, Christmas ornaments (non-breakable), sports-themed items (small), patriotic items, and similar.

Christmas Stockings will be filled in December. However, please note that these items are collected year-round for distribution.

If you have any items to donate for these Stockings or if you have suggestions for local, for-profit businesses that might be willing to donate items, please contact us. A tax number is available. Individual donations may be dropped off at the Post.

Thank you!!!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Wreaths Across America: Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Ceremony

Wreaths can be ordered NOW through November 22, 2014. Please see the post immediately below.

On Saturday, December 13, 2014, please join us with Wreaths Across America as we remember and honor our fallen at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery with the laying of wreaths ceremony.

11 a.m. Saturday, December 13, 2014
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery
20953 W. Hoff Road
Elwood, IL 60421

A free luncheon following the wreath placement will be hosted by the Stone City VFW, 124 Stone City Drive, Joliet, IL.

Wreaths Across America was founded in order to recognize the sacrifice of fallen veterans during a time of year that is devoted to friendship and family-oriented holiday events. Volunteers from all over America, as well as international volunteers, sponsor a week-long appreciation of our veterans that includes the laying of wreaths at veteran’s cemeteries. Their motto is “Remember, Honor, Teach.”

www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

Wreaths Across America: Sponsoring Wreaths

On Saturday, December 13, 2014, Volunteers all over America will join with Wreaths Across America to remember and honor our fallen veterans with the laying of wreaths on veterans’ graves. Wreaths can be sponsored for $15 and can be sponsored now through November 22, 2014. Lockport VRW Post 5788 will participate in the ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery on December 13 at 11 a.m.

Operation Care Package has teamed up with Wreaths Across America to help place more wreaths on veterans’ graves located in National Cemeteries. By sponsoring a wreath through Operation Care Package, Wreaths Across America will donate $5 back to Operation Care Package, which will be used to sponsor additional wreaths and send Care packages to our Troops.

Wreaths can be sponsored either online or by mail.

Online:
Go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/store. Click “Sponsor A Wreath At Store”, then click “Select A Specific Group” on the form. Choose “IL” as your state and select group “ILOCP001” (for Operation Care Package). Then select a National Cemetery of your choice. If you would like to select Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, choose “ILALNC”.

By Mail:
To order through the mail and pay by check, download the Operation Care package Wreaths Across America sponsoring form. You may also refer to the site for general information on this year’s December 13 ceremony.

Sponsoring Form: www.operationcarepackages.org/Christmas/WreathsForm2014.jpg

General Information: http://www.operationcarepackages.org/Christmas/WreathsForm2014Instructions.jpg

Please make checks payable to:
Wreaths Across America

And mail to:
OCP Wreath Project
611 Wilcox St.
Joliet, IL 60435

Please sponsor a wreath to help remember our troops and veterans this holiday season.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Winter Clothing Drive

Please join Lockport VFW Post #5788 in their very worthwhile Winter Clothing Drive. The Post will be collecting new and used ADULT-sized winter coats, hats, gloves, boots, and blankets for the Joliet-area homeless.

Blankets are most desperately needed!

Clothing can be can be dropped off at the VFW Post:

Lockport VFW Post 5788
1026 East 9th St.
Lockport, IL 60441
1-815-838-1066

A pick-up for your items can also be arranged. Please call the Post or leave a message through the About Us link in the right column.

Your donation will not only warm the body; it will warm the heart.

Annual Upstate Luncheon, 2014

A reminder to all Ladies Auxiliary members that Districts 3, 4, 5, 16, 18, and 19 will be having their annual Upstate “Respecting and Protecting our Veterans” luncheon on Saturday, November 15, 2014, hosted at our Lockport Post #5788. The luncheon begins at 11:00 am. Department President Diana Rudeen will be appreciated in the Aisle of Honor at the event.

The cost of each ticket is $17.00. The deadline for ticket orders is Friday, October 31, 2014. Tickets must be ordered prior to the event — they will not be available for purchase at the door. Pre-ordered tickets will be held at the door for guests. The luncheon will be in buffet-style and will have open seating with 8 guests per round table. A cash bar will be available.

Contact Karen S. for information about purchasing your ticket(s) or leave a message through the About Us link in the right column. Again, the ticket-ordering deadline is Friday, October 31.

Please make it a priority to try to attend, and welcome our Department President to her annual Upstate Luncheon.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tuesday Night Bingo at the Post

Lockport VFW Post 5788 would like to invite you to play Bingo! It is held every Tuesday night (except on holidays) starting at 6:45 pm. Just purchase your cards and play! Although the kitchen is closed at that time, beverages are available through the bar. Come try your luck and spend an evening of fun and fellowship. Let’s say it together: BINGO!

Lockport VFW Post 5788
1026 East 9th St.
Lockport, IL 60441

Friday, October 17, 2014

Join Us for a Psychic-Reading Fundraiser

The Lockport VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 5788 would like to invite you to an event of fundraising fun and adventure: Psychic Readings from Spirit Medium Ursula Kalin, the Veil Passenger. This event is Friday, October 24, starting at 4:30 pm until ???. The cost is $35 for a 15-minute reading, $10 of which is needed by October 21 as a deposit to reserve your spot. Contact Karen S. to arrange for your time slot and deposit, or leave a message through the About Us link in the right column.

Information on Ms. Kalin can be found on her Website: www.ursulakalin.com.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Support the Auxiliary Cookbook!

Attention all cooks!!! Bolingbrook VFW Post 5917 Ladies Auxiliary is making a cookbook to sell as an ongoing fundraiser. They are hoping to get some good, handed-down family recipes and party favorites. They have asked us to put the word out that if you have any recipes you are willing to share, they would love to have them in the book. NOTE: Don’t let this “simmer,” however - the new deadline to turn in recipes is October 21st. The ultimate goal is to have at least 150 recipes for the book in order to make a nice profit to help our Veterans!

Please support our fellow Auxiliary by contributing recipes and purchasing the final project!

Recipes can be submitted to our Auxiliary by e-mail or by mail, and we will forward them to Bolingbrook. Thank you!

Monday, September 29, 2014

Youth Writing Competitions, 2014

Patriot’s Pen / Voice of Democracy

It’s the time of year for two of our favorite youth writing competitions, Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy, geared to showcase the patriotism of today’s students!

Patriot’s Pen, Grades 6 - 8
Theme: Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans

    300 to 400 word original essay
VFW Patriot’s Pen Page

Voice of Democracy, Grades 9 - 12
Theme: Why Veterans are important to our Nation’s History and Future

     Original essay and audio recording of essay on CD (3 to 5 minutes long)
VFW Voice of Democracy Page

More information can be found through the links to the VFW National Website Pages or on the application form, downloadable on the VFW sites as well as under this site’s Popular Pages. Entrants are eligible for cash prizes. All entries and applications must be turned in to your local VFW Ladies Auxiliary by the deadline NOVEMBER 1.

We hope to see some inspired entries!

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Halloween at Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm

Join Bolingbrook VFW Post 5917 pm Sunday, September 28, for a day at Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm! This event is open to all active duty personnel, retired military, verifiable veterans organizations, and family members. Join them for a day of fantastic fun, including the Giant Crazy Corn Maze, Fun Barn, Petting Zoo, Hay Ride, Animated Spooky Haunted Barn, Straw Tunnel, Hippity Hop Village, Pumpkin Launcher, and Milk a Simulated Cow! We hope to see you there!

Tickets must be paid for in advance but can be picked up at the VFW Booth at the Farm. You will need a membership card with the VFW, American Legion, DAV, or other military organization.

Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm
13341 W. 151st St.
Homer Glen, IL 60491

Sun. September 28, 2014 10 am - 8 pm
$5 per person (adult or child)
Active Duty in uniform are free.

Welcome! (About The Auxiliary)

Thank you for visiting the VFW Auxiliary to Lockport Post 5788’s blog. We appreciate you checking in to see what’s new as we continue to support our nation’s Veterans.

The VFW Auxiliary is a not-for-profit, voluntary organization dedicated to serve the veterans of our country. The Auxiliary also supports and honors current military members and assists with family support. Programs that the Auxiliary supports include scholarships, Americanism, community service, hospitals and VA facilities, Buddy Poppy Days, and patriotic youth activities.

Honor the dead by helping the living.

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes.

We always welcome new members and volunteers! To be eligible for membership, one must be either qualified for VFW membership or be a family member of a Veteran of a Foreign War. Volunteers come from all walks of life. Please contact us for more information.

The VFW Auxiliary to Lockport Post 5788 meets at the Post on the first Thursday of every month at 6 pm. Meetings are held in the Banquet Hall.