Membership Ideas
Who We Are - Maine VFW Auxiliary
What we do
Since 1914, the VFW Auxiliary has united Americans from all walks of life with a common purpose: to improve the lives of veterans, service members and their families, and our communities.
Our programs are designed to bring needed services, information and assistance to these target groups. Take a tour through our programs and learn how you
Since 1914, the VFW Auxiliary has united Americans from all walks of life with a common purpose: to improve the lives of veterans, service members and their families, and our communities.
Our programs are designed to bring needed services, information and assistance to these target groups. Take a tour through our programs and learn how you can join us and make a difference in the lives of veterans, service members and their families.
Our Approach
Since 1914, the VFW Auxiliary has united Americans from all walks of life with a common purpose: to improve the lives of veterans, service members and their families, and our communities.
Our programs are designed to bring needed services, information and assistance to these target groups.
Auxiliary National Programs
Americanism
“Americanism is an unfailing love of country, loyalty to its institutions and ideas; eagerness to defend it against all enemies; undivided allegiance to the flag; and a desire to secure the blessings of liberty and posterity.”
The Americanism Program:
- Promotes Patriotism by celebrating America’s Patriotic Days.
- Teaches respect and proper car
“Americanism is an unfailing love of country, loyalty to its institutions and ideas; eagerness to defend it against all enemies; undivided allegiance to the flag; and a desire to secure the blessings of liberty and posterity.”
The Americanism Program:
- Promotes Patriotism by celebrating America’s Patriotic Days.
- Teaches respect and proper care for the U.S. Flag.
- Brings attention to Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action by hosting POW/MIA ceremonies to both educate the public and honor these special veterans.
Americanism Chairperson:
Joy Andreasen
Auxiliary Outreach
Volunteering is second nature for VFW Auxiliary members. It’s what we do, how we do it, where we do it and why we do it – because it’s always the right thing to do.
While emphasis is placed on our core VFW and Auxiliary Programs, Auxiliaries also partner with other community organizations. Auxiliaries can report and be recognized for such
Volunteering is second nature for VFW Auxiliary members. It’s what we do, how we do it, where we do it and why we do it – because it’s always the right thing to do.
While emphasis is placed on our core VFW and Auxiliary Programs, Auxiliaries also partner with other community organizations. Auxiliaries can report and be recognized for such community work through the Auxiliary Outreach Program.
When an entire Auxiliary partners with another organization outside our own, it is considered Auxiliary Outreach if the project was approved by the Auxiliary and recorded in the meeting minutes prior to the project.
VFW Auxiliary members work with other organizations in their communities, often individually, and often behind the scenes, but Auxiliary Outreach gives us the opportunity to work together as members alongside members of another organization to do more with local communities and to be recognized in doing so.
Auxiliary Comm. Outreach Chairperson:
Patsy Littlefield
Buddy Poppy & National Home
The “Buddy”® Poppy & VFW National Home Program:
- Promotes and Supports the VFW “Buddy”® Poppy Program
The poppy program also provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home. - Promotes and Supports the VFW National Home
Promotes the Natio
The “Buddy”® Poppy & VFW National Home Program:
- Promotes and Supports the VFW “Buddy”® Poppy Program
The poppy program also provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home. - Promotes and Supports the VFW National Home
Promotes the National Home Helpline
The National Home Helpline is the first step on the path to help for military and veteran families.
Buddy Poppy/ National Home Chairperson:: Michelle Ewing
Extension & Revitalization
The Extension & Revitalization Program:
- Establishes New Auxiliaries.
- Maintains Current Auxiliaries.
Extension Chairperson
Lynn Dunton
Historian & Media Relations
The Historian & Media Relations Program encompasses memory keeping and collecting the five Ws: the who-what-where-when and-why of an Auxiliary. Members involved with this program compile and chronicle memories and events in written format, photographs, memorabilia and print news/video clips. They also spread the word about our valuable Na
The Historian & Media Relations Program encompasses memory keeping and collecting the five Ws: the who-what-where-when and-why of an Auxiliary. Members involved with this program compile and chronicle memories and events in written format, photographs, memorabilia and print news/video clips. They also spread the word about our valuable National Programs and share how we are making a positive impact in the lives of veterans, service members and their families in thousands of communities across the country.
Historian & Media Relations Chairperson
Natascha Minze
Hospital
VFW Auxiliary members have been working to meet the needs of hospitalized veterans in VA Medical Centers and other medical facilities since the organization’s inception in 1914. Auxiliary members volunteer more than 400,000 hours annually and one in 15 members volunteers through the Hospital Program.
The Hospital Program:
Promotes volunteer
VFW Auxiliary members have been working to meet the needs of hospitalized veterans in VA Medical Centers and other medical facilities since the organization’s inception in 1914. Auxiliary members volunteer more than 400,000 hours annually and one in 15 members volunteers through the Hospital Program.
The Hospital Program:
Promotes volunteerism of members, non-members, youth and families in local hospitals, veterans’ homes, nursing homes, domiciliaries and both VA and non-VA medical centers and clinics. Opportunities vary based on the facility and age and abilities of the volunteer.
Hospital Chairperson
Betty Everatt
Legislative
VFW Auxiliary members are instrumental in assisting the VFW pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families. Each year, members contact legislators to share our views regarding such legislation with them and invite them to share their positions on veterans’ issues; we hold legislators accountable for honoring America’s
VFW Auxiliary members are instrumental in assisting the VFW pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families. Each year, members contact legislators to share our views regarding such legislation with them and invite them to share their positions on veterans’ issues; we hold legislators accountable for honoring America’s promises to our nation’s veterans.
The Legislative Program:
Promotes the VFW Priority Goals.
The Priority Goals reflect the resolutions passed by the VFW to strengthen and ensure an adequate VA system for millions of current and future veterans. They call for much-needed attention to crises and are grouped under six areas of concern:
- Budget
- Health Care
- Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
- Education, Employment and Transition Assistance
- Military Quality of Life
- National Security, Foreign Affairs and POW/MIA
- Promotes Action Corps
- Encourages all citizens to exercise their right to vote and contact legislators regarding issues impacting veterans and their families.
Legislative Chairperson
Lynn Dunton
Membership
The VFW Auxiliary started with a small group of women who wanted to serve veterans. Today, we have nearly 470,000 male and female members and more than 3,500 Auxiliaries representing all 50 states, the Philippines, Panama and Guam.
Membership in the VFW Auxiliary is an excellent way to show your support of America’s veterans. If you are a
The VFW Auxiliary started with a small group of women who wanted to serve veterans. Today, we have nearly 470,000 male and female members and more than 3,500 Auxiliaries representing all 50 states, the Philippines, Panama and Guam.
Membership in the VFW Auxiliary is an excellent way to show your support of America’s veterans. If you are a member, we encourage you to participate and to ask someone else to join. If you are not a member, we invite you to join us as we work to improve the lives of America’s veterans, service members and their families and communities across this great nation.
Your membership dues support the VFW Auxiliary’s original objectives by supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving veterans, service members and their families, and spreading patriotism nationwide.
Membership Chairperson
Dorothy Iverson
Scholarships
The VFW Auxiliary is proud to offer and participate in scholarship contests that promote patriotism, assist students in furthering their education and help students reach their full potential.
The Scholarship Program:
- Promotes and conducts the VFW Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship. This scholarship is open to any VFW Auxiliary memb
The VFW Auxiliary is proud to offer and participate in scholarship contests that promote patriotism, assist students in furthering their education and help students reach their full potential.
The Scholarship Program:
- Promotes and conducts the VFW Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship. This scholarship is open to any VFW Auxiliary member (who has belonged for at least a year), his/her spouse, son or daughter with a financial need. information.
- Promotes and conducts the VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest. These contests are open to students, including home-schooled students, in grades 9-12. The National first-place winner of the Young American Patriotic Art Contest will receive a $15,000 scholarship. The National first-place winner of the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest will receive a $2,500.
- Promotes and supports the VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest. This contest is open to all students, including home-schooled students, in grades 6-8. The national first-place winner will receive $5,000.
- Promotes and supports the VFW Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest. This contest is open to all students, including home-schooled students, in grades 9-12. The national first-place winner will receive a $35,000 scholarship.
Scholarships Chairperson
Natascha Minze
Veterans & Family Support
Veterans & Family Support
Veterans, service members and their families often face unexpected challenges and the VFW Auxiliary is here to assist them in their time of need. Since its founding in 1914, the VFW Auxiliary has worked tirelessly to offer financial and moral support to those who need it most.
The Veterans & Family Support Program:
- Offers support for vetera
Veterans, service members and their families often face unexpected challenges and the VFW Auxiliary is here to assist them in their time of need. Since its founding in 1914, the VFW Auxiliary has worked tirelessly to offer financial and moral support to those who need it most.
The Veterans & Family Support Program:
- Offers support for veterans, service members and their families. Our Veterans & Family Support Resource Card includes a list of 20 organizations and agencies that offer support to veterans, service members and their families.
- Promotes Veteran and Military Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Each day, an estimated 20 veterans commit suicide. You can help lower this number and make a difference in the life of a veteran or service member in crisis by educating yourself and others about the warning signs of suicide. - Promotes VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS)
VFW’s National Veterans Service (NVS) helps veterans, service members and their families obtain the benefits they deserve – free of charge. NVS provides a nationwide network of more than 2,000 VA-accredited VFW Service Officers across America and abroad who help hundreds of thousands of veterans navigate the Veterans Affairs system each year. In 2018, VFW’s service officers recovered more than $8.3 billion (yes, billion!) in earned benefits and compensation for veterans and their dependents, which includes $1.4 billion in new claims. Service officers assist all veterans, whether they are VFW members or not, in filing claims Promotes VFW’s Veterans & Military Support Programs
The VFW’s Veteran & Military Support Programs serve active-duty and recently discharged members of the military.
Veterans & Family Support Chairperson
Pam Manter
Youth Activities
Veterans & Family Support
Youth Activities
The VFW Auxiliary works to teach our nation’s youth the skills to become responsible adults through serving our country, communities, veterans and service members. We engage youth in positive volunteer experiences and believe every young person can find a place to serve that will improve their lives, as well as the lives they touch.
The Yo
The VFW Auxiliary works to teach our nation’s youth the skills to become responsible adults through serving our country, communities, veterans and service members. We engage youth in positive volunteer experiences and believe every young person can find a place to serve that will improve their lives, as well as the lives they touch.
The Youth Activities Program
- Sponsors and works with youth groups Promotes and conducts the Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!
- Promotes and conducts the Illustrating America art contest.
- Promotes Patriotism through Literacy
Introduces youth to historical figures and teaches them about events in our nation’s history while fostering a love of reading that can lead to a lifetime of learning. - Recognizes Random Acts of Patriotism (R.A.P.)
We encourage and reward patriotism through R.A.P. If a child is seen thanking a veteran, properly placing their hand on their heart during the Pledge of Allegiance or involved in some other activity that promotes patriotism, we suggest giving them a R.A.P. card. It’s a fun and unique way to engage children elementary age and younger! - Recognizes youth and youth groups for their efforts and service projects honoring veterans, service members and their families. We recognize these bright young citizens for their good work to ensure these activities become a part of their daily lives.
Youth Activities Chairperson
Lisa Michaud