SUNFLOWERETTE

Greetings American Legion Family!

 December started off busy and hasn’t slowed down. I took a couple of Honorary Junior Department Officers with me to the FT Dodge VA Gift Shop. It was a rewarding experience watching the girls visit with the very appreciative veterans! Next on the agenda was Operation North Pole where 204 children received gifts and visited Santa. The junior girls helped at the Auxiliary tables where we gave out cookies, water, and various Christmas goodies. Our cookie decorating table was a big hit along with the Christmas Wheel Table. The following week we had our Department Christmas Party where the Hutchinson Legion Family did a wonderful job hosting.  It was a festive time with a gift exchange and live music from a band comprised of deaf members. All the events were successful in my book and the smiles and grateful words that were to many to count that came from the kids and the veterans made all that driving worth it!

Ø  OFFICERS AND CHAIRMEN At all Levels Don’t let your 2026 dues become Delinquent! Members in these positions can’t hold them in 2026 if you are not a member in good standing. While sending out Unit Assessments fees to the units it was noticeable that a lot of Unit officers have not renewed for 2026 yet. Don’t let your membership expire!! Members not in good standing should not be holding any officer or chairmen positions. 

Ø  MEMBERSHIP Review your unit’s membership to ensure accuracy of who has paid and for what years. Reach out to your District Membership and Department Membership Chair Trish Ward and myself if you need any help! Contact us if you have any unresolved membership issues so we can get them fixed before the end of the year.  

Ø  ALAMIS Department Treasurer Jeanne Hass sent out forms by email.  IF your unit hasn’t received anything about renewing or updating your ALAMIS access for 2026, please contact her immediately. 

Ø  Volunteer Hours: Units need to send in their Impact Forms to their District President by January 31^st. District President’s need to send in their combined Impact Form to the Department President. 

In the spirit of LEADERS- Listen Encourage And Develop Everyone Regularly Selflessly our Power Hour Zoom Call is coming up. Everyone is strongly encouraged to attend! If you have any questions, comments and concerns ahead of time please send to anndimb@yahoo.com This is for ALL Members!!

Department Zoom Meeting January 6 @ 7 pm, Meeting Link Follows

Topic: Department Member Training Tuesday

Time: Jan 6, 2026 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81632388190?pwd=61jXLvVVRlYH0XF2qGEF723rrOPHBR.1

Meeting ID: 816 3238 8190     Passcode: 769751 

Please reach out and if you call and I don’t answer, leave a voicemail and I will get back to you. 

Warmly, and as always For God and Country, President Anndi Bownes

anndimb@yahoo.com~620-228-4884

 Upcoming Events

o  December 25-26   Department Office Closed 

o  December 30    Membership Dues Need to be Paid to not be Delinquent

o  December 30     ALAMIS User Annual Fees and Form Need to be sent to Dept for 2026

January 2026 – Vice President

With the New Year comes new Natural Disasters

American Legion Auxiliary Stands Strong with Communities After Natural Disasters

After a natural disaster, communities around Kansas often demonstrate extraordinary resilience and strength in the face of unimaginable challenges. Ice Storms, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods can strike with little warning, leaving behind widespread devastation. Homes may be destroyed, livelihoods disrupted, and families forced to begin the complex recovery process.

In these moments of uncertainty, the American Legion Auxiliary remains a steadfast source of support for individuals and families impacted by natural disasters. Whether through the immediate compassion and assistance of local unit members or through financial relief provided by the Auxiliary Emergency Fund, the Auxiliary is committed to helping survivors rebuild and regain stability.

The Kansas Emergency Fund offers critical assistance to members and their families who have suffered losses in the wake of disaster. These grants help cover essential needs and provide relief during some of the most challenging times survivors may face.

Auxiliary members and friends play an essential role in sustaining this mission. Continued support of the Auxiliary Emergency Fund ensures that help is available when disaster strikes. Donations to the fund directly impact those in need and allow the American Legion Auxiliary to respond swiftly and effectively.

Together, through generosity and service, the American Legion Auxiliary stands ready to bring hope, relief, and support to communities when it is needed most. 

I am challenging all Districts, Units, and individuals to make a $10, $15, or $25 contribution to our Kansas Emergency Fund to support our Kansas Members in need.  Click the link for the following forms for your contribution https://www.kansasala.org/program-forms or when you mail your check to the Department of Kansas office, in the “Memo” line, identify – “KS Emergency Fund Contribution.”

Email me to let me know if you contribute, and at the end of the year, I will make sure you receive a Certificate for your District and/or Unit.  “Let's all make a Difference!”

Cindy Ward – Email:  Cindy.Ward2019@outlook.com – Phone:  (309) 222 7233

As we prepare for the holiday season, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and New Year.  This is a time for family and friends to get together and share family traditions and stories.  Enjoy this time and pass on your family history.  Write family stories down for the next generation. 

 When the new year starts it will be time to write up what your unit has done in 2025. I look forward to getting your end of year report and learning all the exciting activities that volunteers did.

Sonia Wiley

Dept. of KS Historian