BETHEL — The American Legion Auxiliary works, “In the spirit of Service, Not Self and its mission is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad.” Below are just a few things the American Legion Auxiliary has been organizing to support veterans, active military members, and their families.

Troopons
In effort to support America’s troops, the Troopons program was created. What are Troopons? According to The Support Our Troops Troopons Program, anyone can donate coupons they don’t use to the organization. American Legion Auxiliary will then send them to the military families overseas. Military families cannot always afford magazines or newspapers providing coupons. To help the families overseas, the Legion is asking for people to donate their coupons to help discount their groceries and bills. The Legions emphasize that shopping abroad can be difficult as prices are not always equal to the US dollar.

“Please remember only “Manufacturers” Coupons can be used and, unfortunately, commissaries can no longer accept internet coupons. A container will soon be available at the Bethel Foodliner for members and the community to participate and help our military families,” says Jeri Greenwell, past unit president of American Legion Auxiliary and resident of Bethel.

Accordingly, studies show 60% military families who were served by the Troopons Program said they used Troopons several times each month.

Flip Tops

Next time you pop open any can, save the top! The tab tops can be donated to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The tab tops are recycled and turned in for cash and that money is turned into monetary donations for the RMHC Maine. The Ronald McDonald House Charities is an organization that helps place parents in special homes when their children are staying in Ronald McDonald hospitals. It is meant to support the parents during these turbulent times. The American Legion Auxiliary here in Bethel will be donating the tab tops to the RMHC (s) in Portland. A container will be at the Bethel Foodliner, so when you start popping the pops, save the tops!

Purses with Purpose
The American Legion Auxiliary will be accepting new and used purses to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. Similar to the Flip Top program, the new purses are auctioned off to help support families with a sick child who is away from home. Any donations raised from this event provide Maine families with things such as a meal after a long day at the hospital. New purses can be dropped off at Ruthie’s on 88 Main Street, Bethel.

Items for those Hospitalized
There are instantiates where veterans are brought in by an ambulance or when they go in to see a doctor for a routine appointment, and then they’re told they need to be admitted immediately. In these cases, veterans do not have any toiletry items with them. The American Legion Auxiliary is collecting toiletry items such as shampoo, toothpaste and a toothbrush, hair brushes, etc., which can be dropped off at Northeast Bank in the upcoming weeks.

Socks
As Dumbledore said to Harry Potter when looking in the Mirror of Erised, which showed his heart’s greatest desire, he simply said he saw himself holding a pair of thick woolen socks. Similarly, every veteran could use a pair of socks, whether homeless or not. The American Legion Auxiliary will be collecting socks and distributing to those who need them most. Socks can be dropped off at the Northeast Bank in the upcoming weeks.

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