By CINDY PIERSON
Cambria’s American Legion Auxiliary fundraises all year long to provide needed services to veterans in San louis Obispo County and local Cambria and San Simeon communities. The Legion’s largest fundraiser is Thursday Night Dinners, which are available to non-Legion members as take out meals.
Auxiliary volunteers team up to cook these meals weekly. Our menus vary; they are home cook favorites and are unique each week. The cost of the meals is $12. Members and the public are welcome at 5 p.m. each Thursday to purchase a dinner ticket on a first-come, first served basis.
In addition to Thursday Night Dinners, the Auxiliary fundraises during the month of May through the Poppy Program. Paper poppies made by veterans are sold throughout the month for a donation. Auxiliary members are present at the Memorial Day ceremony and each Friday during May at the Farmers Market. All funds collected through this program are donated to veteran causes only.
The Auxiliary also sponsors BINGO Night at the Legion on the second Wednesday of each month. Members and their guests are invited to play. Not a member? This is a great activity for getting to know the Auxiliary members and then to consider a $40 per year membership. Other periodic fundraising events throughout the year include special dinners and food drives. Why does the Auxiliary fundraise and who benefits?
Children and Youth: Many, many children and youth programs and schools in Cambria and San Simeon are funded. A few examples are high school scholarships, Coast Union Sober Grad, Cambria 4-H, Coast Union FFA, Grammar School PTA, Operation School Bell, Stuff the Bus, Cambria Youth Collective, benefiting all the schools through funding grants via Cambria Community Council. During the past fiscal year, the Auxiliary has donated over $6,000 to children and youth activities and programs.
Veterans and Veteran Organizations: The Auxiliary currently has one adopted female veteran with two small children from Paso Robles who is assisted monthly. It also provides backpacks to two agencies in the County to assist with veterans seeking housing. So far, this fiscal year we have provided over $10,000 to various veteran organizations in the County.
Cambria Community at large: Over 20 Christmas bags stuffed with member donations are provided to seniors in this community who may be shut in or have suffered the loss of a loved one. Members continue to support Pinedorado activities annually, specifically by sponsoring a corn husking party the Friday night before Pinedorado kicks off. A number of members work at the scrip booth during Pinedorado.
Supporting the American Legion Post 432: Many of the programs sponsored by the Legion Post including food service at Picnic in the Park on 4th of July, Toys for Tots, Ride to Recovery, Wreaths Across America, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and all veteran related ceremonies; the list goes on and on for events that are supported by the Auxiliary. For anyone interested in joining, please visit members at Legion Post 432, located behind the Veterans Memorial Hall at 1000 Main Street on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday after 5 p.m. To find out more about Thursday Night Dinner fundraisers and other projects, please follow the Cambria Auxiliary at: https://www.facebook.com/CambriaAuxiliary432
