Tag Archive: VFW Post 8870

VFW/Legion Fund Raising Raffles

VFW/Legion Fund Raising Raffles
VFW/Legion Fund Raising Raffles

Last month we reported on plans to repeat the successful VFW fund raising raffle of 2023, now aimed at providing operating funds for both VFW Post 8870 and AL Post 66. As you all know, our principal fundraising project, Buddy Poppies, raises considerable sums, all of which are and must be devoted to our Relief Fund. Previously, we have depended on the individual generosity of our membership and individual supporters to fund Post operations.

Post 66 began distributing raffle tickets to members at this past week’s “Movie Night at the Hall” for their drawing to be held on July 4 at the Post’s centennial celebration.The grand prize will be an original framed portrait drawing by Mike Reagan, of film actor and well known supporter of Veteran causes, Gary Senise (AKA Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump).

Post 8870′ s drawing will be held once again at the Christmas party in December and we will begin distributing those raffle tickets for sale in late summer. The winner of that raffle will receive Reagan’s drawing of country singer Toby Keith, another celebrity with veteran’s interests at heart, composer and singer of songs extolling our military and veterans.

Meanwhile, we urge members of both posts to participate in supporting the project as a whole. Below are images of Reagan’s drawings of these two men. As fans of Keith are aware, he passed away in February as a result of stomach cancer. His songs are known for their patriotism and support of America’s military, active and veteran.

American Legion Clothing and Food Drive

American Legion Clothing and Food Drive

Community members showed their strong support for veterans when they stopped by the American Legion Post in Edmonds Saturday, Jan. 20 to drop off donations of food and winter clothing.

American Legion Post 66 and VFW post 8870 hosted the event to assist local veterans in need. Through the generosity of those donating, the two veterans’ organizations were able to collect hundreds of items for cold­weather use, including gloves, hats, socks, coats, shirts, pants, sweaters and blankets. They also collected over 300 pounds of food. Cash donations in the amount of $200 were received at the event.

Members of both posts were on hand to receive the donations and thank donors. Also helping was Mary Lancaster, chief of veterans’ outreach for Lynnwood Heroes Cafe. The items will go directly to veterans in need, with distribution arranged by Lynnwood Legion member (& Heroes Cafe Director) Gary Walderman.

Anything remaining after distribution will go to local food banks and shelters in need.

American Legion Clothing and Food Drive
Edmonds American Legion Post 66 Vice Commander Gary Walderman accepts one of the many donations the collected at the Jan. 20 food and clothing drive (Photo by Mark Bjorndal, MyEdmondsNews)

To make the event even more special, Jessica Dietsch of Project Serve Outreach graciously offered her mobile hot beverage service to provide coffee and cocoa to warm post members, and visitors who stopped by to drop off their items.

One of the donors traveled all the way from Mercer Island to bring clothing and food. “My wife used to live in Edmonds, and she wanted to contribute to this cause. It was worth the drive to help out,” he said.

Post 66 Commander Dan Mullene also noted that most of the people dropping off items said that they had heard of it through the My Neighborhood News Network, which includes online publications My Edmonds News, Lynnwood Today and MLTnews. “We appreciate the great support that Teresa Wippel and the My Neighborhood News Network offers in helping us promote our veteran-oriented events,” he said.

Legion and VFW leadership plan to move forward with further joint activities, to build on the success of this event. Well done!

American Legion Clothing and Food Drive
American Legion Clothing and Food Drive

Raffles to be Held for VFW & AL Posts

Raffles are to be conducted again this year, this time for both VFW Post 8870 and AL Post 66 to benefit the operating funds of both posts. The AL drawing will be held on July 4 at a celebration for Post 66 centennial year. 8870 will again hold the drawing at the Christmas party on December 14.

We are Planning more promotion vial local media & social media as well as tighter follow-up of ticket distribution. Mike Reagan has once again generously offered his drawings this time of Gary Senise (widely known for his support of veterans) and country music star Toby Keith, who passed away recently.

Stay tuned for further scheduling & ticket information.

American Legion Post 66 Drop-off Event January 20th

To Collect Food, Cold Weather Items for Vets in Need

American Legion Post 66 Drop-off Event

Edmonds American Legion Post 66 will host a Drop-off Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 20th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accept donations of food and cold weather clothing items to assist local veterans in need.

Community members are encouraged to come by the Post, located at
117 6th A venue South in Edmonds, and drop off non-perishable food items and cold weather clothing like hats, gloves, socks, sweaters, and coats to help our local vets in need. The food and items will be distributed to veterans by the Lynnwood Heroes Cafe.

“There are over 50,000 veterans in Snohomish County, and many of them need help during winter due to difficult circumstances,” noted Legion Post Commander Dan Mullene. Post 66 members, along with members of VFW Post 8870, will be on hand to receive your donations. You may also donate money. Checks should be made out to “American Legion Post 66 Cold Weather Event.”