Membership Dues Information

Life Membership Fee
age as of December 31 of Year of Application

Ladies Auxiliary 9960 New Member Annual Fee
$25.00 
for initial membership or reinstatement only

Ladies Auxiliary 9960 Renewal Annual Dues
$19.00
for renewal of your annual membership

If mailing your dues, please address to:

Ladies Auxiliary 9960
ATTN: Treasurer
246 VFW Road
Swansboro, NC 28584
please include your phone number so we may contact you 
if there are any questions concerning your membership

Committees

Veterans and Family Support ( formerly known as Rehabilitation )
Any assistance to the veteran and/or his/her family outside of the hospital. This may include moral support, cards, funeral sprays or flowers, meals furnished to a bereaved family, medical assistance, assistance with living conditions, providing transportation when needed, and providing household goods, foods, or help with utilities.

Community Service & Safety
Arranging for the Ladies Auxiliary to meet specific needs of the community. Ways to meet this goal are food drives, fund-raisers for disaster victims, aid for victims of abuse, and clean-up days at parks, memorials, playgrounds, and highways. A major emphasis in this program is the participation in "Make a Difference Day" which is held every year in October. On that one day, the auxiliary works to make a concerted effort to donate blankets and other items to homeless shelters, and provide many other services in the community.

VFW National Home
The National Home is an important and vital program. It is a place where children of deceased or disabled veterans, or in a situation where they can not provide care may stay together as a family unit. The Buddy Poppy program assists this important service.

Buddy Poppy
The Buddy Poppy program is a small silk flower, made by hospitalized veterans in Veterans Administration Medical Centers throughout the nation. The Buddy Poppy proceeds are placed in the Post Relief Fund, which is to be used solely for veterans and their families who are in need.

Youth Activities 
Youth activities are another vital function of the auxiliary. Reaching out to our youth through fund raising and donations to boys and girls clubs, and to our community's schools. Americanism works hand in hand with youth activities on educating our youth about American values and patriotism, including rituals of flag folding, destroying, and the meaning of the Stars and Stripes; and teaching the Pledge of Allegiance. There are four scholarship programs associated with youth activities.

Voice of Democracy
Voice of Democracy (VOD) is a speech writing competition, where 9th through 12th grade students write and deliver their speech on a cassette tape. The theme changes each year, which is selected by the National Commander in Chief. Deadline for the entry is November 1 of each year.

Patriot's Pen is where 7th and 8th grade students submit a 300 to 400 word written essay, based on a patriotic theme selected by National. Deadline for the entry is December 1 of each year.

Patriotic Art is where high school students submit original artwork with a patriotic theme. Deadline for the entry is December 15 each year.

Young Outstanding Volunteer is where young citizens who volunteer in their communities compete for national awards. Deadline for the entry is December 15 each year.

Americanism
Teaching our youth and community about flag etiquette, hosting Loyalty Day, participating in parades, giving information about POW/MIA Recognition Day, and general educating the public about America's history and traditions. This program seems to be especially important in view of the questionable future of our youth, and works hand in hand with Youth Activities to keep the ideals of true patriotism in force.

Legislative
Protecting the rights of veterans and their families is one of the most important things the Auxiliary can do. Foundations to help aid in this endeavor are Political Action Committee (PAC), VFW Action Corps, VFW Foundation , and the National Legislative Service Office. These foundations keep a sharp eye on Washington and the legislative process concerning veterans issues. Phone calls, faxes, emails, and petitioning our legislators to keep them abreast of veteran issues and the local voice of our community. The legislative program works well with Rehabilitation.

Cancer Aid & Research
Raising funds through various means and projects for cancer aid and research. With each auxiliary membership, comes cancer insurance. If the need arises, the auxiliary member may qualify for two lifetime grants. Our auxiliary also has host lectures knowledgeable in the medical field, which is open not only to our member, but to the community as well. Examples of these functions are nurses coming to address breast examinations, the dangers of smoking and stop smoking programs, cervical cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer to name a few.

Hospital
I'd like to think of this as one of the most rewarding programs the auxiliary has. Visiting hospitalized veterans who may not have had a visitor lately, bringing good cheer and kind words to encouragement is personally satisfying knowing you've placed a smile on a veterans face. Also bringing donated items, such as toiletries and blankets, stationary, and even penning a letter if need be. Our auxiliary visits the VA hospital in Fayetteville, which is closest to us.

Publicity
Another important function of our Auxiliary is to let the community know what we are all about. This is the job of the publicity chairman. Newsletters, flyers, radio ads, newspaper ads and articles are a few ways to reach the minions. Of course the Internet needs to be mentioned as well.

Membership
This is where we increase our numbers. Please contact the Membership chairman to see if you are eligible to join.

Mentoring & Extension
Mentoring to new members, seasoned members, officers, and chairmen has always been done, but now it is an official program. Knowledge of bylaws and rituals, the duties of officers and chairmen is required to be a mentor.  Mentors are needed at all levels, to share the information we have learned over the years.  

President's Special Project
Each year the National President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects a theme for the President's Special Project.