SWAMPSCOTT — Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Joseph L. Stevens Post 1240, is creating a new auxiliary organization to bring together more people in the local veterans community.
The new VFW Auxiliary in Swampscott will be a sister-organization to the VFW Joseph L. Stevens Post 1240, the state, and national Auxiliaries, said Patrick Burke, veteran and member of the VFW in Swampscott. Any family members of those who served overseas in a foreign conflict will be able to join the VFW Auxiliary.
“It is a support organization that works with the VFW,” said Burke. “It will allow us to bring more people into the community to do more good things.”
Burke expects the new Auxiliary will work with local schools and hospitals, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, organize care packages and clothes drives.
More than 3,600 Auxiliaries with about 470,000 members around the U.S. work to improve the lives of veterans, service members, and their families in a variety of ways. Auxiliaries offer financial and moral support to those in the veteran community who need it most.
Auxiliary members volunteer at Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, hospitals, nursing homes and veterans homes. They make legislative outreach about important bills affecting veterans and their families as well as engage with youth, award scholarships, and promote patriotism.
In return, Auxiliary members acquire and utilize such skills as leadership, public speaking, fundraising, event planning and community outreach. Being part of the organization allows members to meet people from all walks of life and many career backgrounds to network with each other.
Representatives of the VFW Auxiliary of Massachusetts visited Swampscott VFW Post 1240 last Saturday to talk to potential candidates of the local Auxiliary. About 25 people interested in joining attended the meeting, Burke said.
“Auxiliary will allow us to have a larger footprint in the community and to do more,” said Burke. “It is a nice way for people who are family members of veterans, whether they are alive or gone, to honor their service further by doing good work for other veterans in the military community.”
The next step is for the potential Auxiliary members to choose their leadership – a president, secretary, and treasurer, Burke said. On May 22, the state Auxiliary representatives will return to Swampscott to officially swear in the new leadership team and start the new organization with a little celebration.
Those living in Lynn, Swampscott, or other communities in the Greater North Shore area, who are interested in joining the new Swampscott VFW Auxiliary can contact Krista Burke, a VFW Auxiliary lifetime member, at [email protected].
Alena Kuzub can be reached at [email protected].
