The regular monthly meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary to Nesquehoning Memorial VFW Post 8008 was held on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Post Home. President Cathy Sommers presided at the session.

The Department President's Testimonial Banquet will be held in Greentree the weekend of April 16-17. The Buddy Poppy order has been received; and a date for May will be set at Redner's. The Cancer Program donation of $ 2 per member was sent submitted in December.Any member who has not yet paid dues are delinquent and should make payment as soon as possible.A bloodmobile collection was held on Dec. 23, at the Post Home. Another collection is scheduled for February.Under Youth and Voice of Democracy, it was announced that Andrew Tucker, the post and auxiliary's entry, placed first in District 20 competition. He will be a guest at the Department of Pennsylvania VOD Banquet and Mid-Winter Conference in Gettysburg from Jan. 22 -24.For Patriot's Pen, the local winners were: first place, Taylor Nalesnik; second, Allyson Kusko and third, Kayla Reese. Nalesnik's entry also placed third in district competition. An awards presentation will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 5:30 p.m., at the Post Home, followed by a social hour. The auxiliary meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m.President Cathy Sommers, Commander Brian Sommers and Marie Sniscak were present at the Trees for Troops kickoff and made the donation presentations. A contingent traveled to Fort Indiantown Gap on Saturday, Dec. 12 and assisted laying wreaths on veterans graves for the Christmas holiday. Making the long trip and participating in the moving ceremony were: Brian and Cathy Sommers, Carol and Mike Malatak, Marie and Mike Sniscak, Cheri and Anthony Santore, Ted Dacey, Lori Dacey and two of her daughters.Member Ellen Driesbach crocheted angels as favors for the Christmas Party and used a Buddy Poppy as the heart, indicating veterans are always in the heart of the auxiliary.Donations were made to Panther Valley JROTC to attend the Nationals Drill Competition; the VFW National Home toward the purchase of a van; Operation Uplink, Unmet Needs; and Homeless Veterans. A gift will also be presented to the department president at the February district meeting during the Parade of Auxiliary Presidents.The Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 27 at noon. Children and grandchildren from birth to 12 years of age may be signed up at the post home. The auxiliary will celebrate its 61st anniversary in February; a dinner will be held in April. More information will be available at the next meeting. Donations for the Cancer Table for the Feb. 21 district meeting are needed.At the December meeting, a donation was made to Shepherd House.The next meeting will be on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the post home. Those planning to attend should be present by 5:30 p.m. for the VOD/ Patriot's Pen Awards Ceremony. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.