VFW 9415 Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 9415 Ladies Auxiliary President’s Message HAPPY NEW YEAR.!! Gosh, can you believe that it's the New Year already?  MEMBERSHIPS are past due. Have you renewed your membership as yet?  Are you aware that your membership provides access to benefits such as travel plans, insurance plans, cancer grants, Veteran's Care (pharmacy plan), personal health and other additional benefits.  Those members that have not paid the 2011-2012 dues are now not in good standing and have forfeited their benefits and voting rights.  Pay your dues now and become an active member again. It was voted at the National Convention that the per capital is to be increased $1.50.  The membership will be voting on possibly increasing the membership dues $5 to $30 per member.  New member dues will be $35.   The past two months had some really good fellowship.  Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Pearl Harbor Remembrance, Christmas Eve and the Barstow Veterans Home were all activities to remember.  Bonnie Phillips did a wonderful job organizing the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Party.  Nancy Santiago provided the Karaoke.  Dennis Zombrano and Pete belted out some great songs.  Debbie Jacobs and Santa (Steve) provided the residents at the Barstow Veterans Home with huge bags of goodies on behalf of the Post and Auxiliary. I wish you could have seen the looks on the residents' faces when their name was called out by Santa and they received their gifts.  Many thanks to Debbie, Steve, and grandchildren, Jack Crawford, and Harry and Kathy Doran for participating in honoring our Veterans.  I hope that next year more members will join us at the Home on Christmas Day. We welcome our three (3) new Sisters.  Colleen Hance, Marti Turner, and Melinda Reynolds. Coleen is one of our bartenders as well as stepping up to be the Auxiliary Secretary.  Again, a BIG WELCOME. We also have three new officers.  Sarah had resigned as Conductress.  Our new Officers are Conductress - GwenWeber; Secretary - Coleen Hance: 3rd Year Trustee -  Connie Halliwell .Every month has a horseshoe tournament and dart tournaments.  We are asking for ideas for other fun events.  Bunco is being discussed as a possible new activity.  Do you have an idea? Volunteers are always needed to help with the different activities.  Give us a call to see how you can help.   Hope to see you soon at the Post and at our meetings on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm.  Be sure to check out our website for the most up-to-date information (we have a page on the Post's website) www.vfw9415.org.  Would you like to receive information by email?  Email me at hkdoran48k@yahoo.com or call me at (760) 792-5879. Kathy Doran President