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   President Char Wilkes, Past Presidents Shirley Frederick, Donna Williams and Diana Slinkard, Membership Chair Nancy Albrecht, Treasurer Maryellen Morley and Auxiliary Emergency Fund Chair, Shirley Troska; members of Hackensack American Legion Auxiliary Unit 202 attended the 89th Annual Fall Conference held October 25-26, 2024 in St. Cloud, hosted by the American Legion Convention Corporation and held at the Rivers Edge Convention Center.

   State President, Judy Ackerman was the presiding officer.  For her Department President’s Project-President Judy has a 2 part project.   

   Part 1 is to raise funds for rehabilitation equipment for the Veterans Homes.  The two most requested pieces of rehabilitation equipment are the Kinevia Duo and the Scifit Stepper.  These both allow residents in wheelchairs to access the equipment as well as those that are not in a wheelchair.  Several of the other Veterans’ homes have needs for other smaller rehab equipment.  (Space is an issue.)  The approximate cost for these 4 pieces of equipment ranges from $6000-$8500 each.  Four of the homes have these on their wish list.

   Part 2 is to raise funds and in-kind donations to help our female veterans.  The new women’s clinic will be opening in the spring of 2025.  The VA is asking for Personal Hygiene kits to be given to our female veterans. This project was started at the Junior Fun Weekend at Legionville in August.  The goal is 300 kits.

   Throughout the Conference the Department Chairs presented their programs for this Auxiliary year.  “Just Ask” sessions gave the membership the opportunity to ask questions on the various programs.

   Also addressing the Conference was the National American Legion Auxiliary President, Trish Ward from Kansas.  She presented the Department Excellence Initiative for 2024-2025.

   Hackensack Post 202 legionnaires also attending the Legion sessions at the Fall Conference were First Vice and Membership, Rob Albrecht and Trustee, Dennis Dusoski.

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