I’ve been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for about seven years now. We are all about raising money for veterans, military and their families.
I work at the restaurant on the Joint Forces Training Base, which is how I heard we had over 200 soldiers deploying, and I decided to raise money so we could send them care packages. Things they requested like spices, foot powder, baby whips and Q tips.
I purchased a 32-inch flat screen TV to raffle off and when it comes toraffles I’m relentless, nobody gets by me.
Los Alamitos Councilman Dean Grose came in for lunch to the restaurant one day and of course I asked him to purchase a ticket. He bought one but he also told me about “Operation Gratitude.”
It intrigued me. I looked into it hoping they could help me make the money I raise go farther.
Ashley my coworker and Miss Southern California Princess, Grose and myself headed out to Van Nuys National Guard Armory where “Gratitude” would be celebrating 12 years by having a large scale assembly day and press conference.
I have to admit I was humbled to say the least. We got a tour of the grounds by Dick Saklad, volunteer and he’s on the Board of Directors. We meet Angel Cuevas,
Director of Strategic Operations and Carolyn Blashek, Founder and CEO. Their must have been over 1,000 volunteers and everyone had a job on this human
assembly line. The line was brought to a halt so Steve our WW11 veteran could fill box number 1,300,000 yes, that’s how many they have packed and shipped overseas to our troops. Amazing, I’m hoping to send boxes to 200.
When the press conference began they announced they were moving to a larger location and to my surprise the keynote speaker was Brig. General Riddicks the Commander of the very base I work at in Los Alamitos.
I walked away with a heart filled with pride knowing others are out there and they care about our military as much as I and the ladies I volunteer with at the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 716 Los Alamitos.
If you would like to donate to our cause call the American Legion Post 716, Los Alamitos at 562-430-6033 and ask how you can help.