Merton Ira Staples

Merton Ira Staples, AMVETS Post # 1 FEBRUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER (stamp) 147 Alfred Street, Biddeford, ME 04005

(Mailing Address Box)

Post # 1 Newsletter Editor AMVETS Post #1 Commander Adjutant: J. E. “Gene” Foster Lionel “Tinou” Lamontagne

AMVETS NEWS

If you’re not in New England; if you haven’t been watching TV; then here’s a short update: It’s winter! We have snow! We’re gonna’ get more snow! And the New England Patriots are once again Super Bowl Champions! OK. Great job by all who helped with a fantastic DEC Meal January 4th. As bad as the weather was, the meal and atmosphere was as good as it gets. Our fabulous meal was the result of Vets, Ladies, & Sons all working together – Team Staples takes the Gold! Our January breakfast almost hit 100 – and again, a super job by the entire breakfast crew; shoppers Tinou & Bobby; hall set- up, Norm & Rob; waitresses, Lynda & Barbara; Kitchen Crew, Paul, Dickie, and Bob; dish washer, Jonah Wells, a volunteer from Thornton Academy. Our next public benefit breakfast is scheduled for Sunday morning, February 22nd, 8 to 11 AM. There’s always plenty of breakfast fixin’s cooked fresh when you order. In a hurry? Breakfasts to go as well. And, as usual, additional kitchen help is also welcome which includes breakfast! Proceeds from this breakfast will go toward the 2015 Biddeford High School scholarship. This month’s AMVETS meeting is Sunday, February 15th at 9:00 AM. All Veterans are encouraged to attend, see what goes on, and have their say about things get done at Post 1. And don’t forget; every Friday night is Game Night at Post 1. Happy hour prices! Food! Prizes! 50/50!

LADIES AUXILIARY NEWS About a year ago, Ladies Auxiliary 1st Vice President Lynda Mouzas had an idea that turned into a great program. Every time Lynda shopped at Hannaford’s, she received complimentary bus tokens – tokens she would likely never use. With help, Lynda collected and donated almost 1000 bus tokens to VoA, Veteran Career House. Case manager Brian Bouthot, left, receives city bus tokens from Lynda Mouzas, right. Center is Maine AMVETS Service Foundation President Gene Foster. Brian said, “These tokens enable us to get more residents out of the center and into the community. They shop; they go to interviews; they connect with other modes of transportation; these tokens help them help themselves.” The Veteran Career House has limited resident transportation funds. Medical/related appointments take priority. If there are still transportation funds available, then convenience trips are scheduled. When funds are tight, residents can’t get out unless they pay for a cab or arrange other transportation. Brian added, “With these tokens in their pocket, I can take several of them to a drop off, like 5-Points, Pepperell Square, or other central location and they hop busses to where they need to go.” Lynda said she’s still collecting tokens so if you shop at Hannaford’s and have more tokens than you need, pass them along to Lynda and she will get them to the Veteran Career House either in Biddeford or Saco. In other Ladies news; IF you have NOT paid your 2015 dues you are no longer a member of Auxiliary # 1 and DO NOT ha ve any Post 1 privileges. This is not the Auxiliary rules nor the Department rules – it is National rules. To reestablish membership, st art by filling out an application (completely) along with $26.00 and turn it in. The Ladies Auxiliary is doing good things and doesn’t want to loose good members! Our next meeting is Sunday, February 4th, a 6:00 PM. Hope to see you there.

SONS NEWS

Our February meeting is Sunday, 22 February, at 11:00 AM.