By Ron VandenBoom
Teachers at Havre Schools received a surprise Wednesday when members of the VFW Womens Auxiliary in Havre dropped by to give them a box of homemade cookies.
Its a part of what Loretta Kirkedahl, VFW Americanism chairwoman, said, was It Makes A Difference Day.
Each year in October, the ladies of the auxiliary put together a surprise treat for a group of individuals they feel are contributing substantially to the betterment of the community and to Americanism. Last year, Kirkedahl said, they delivered cookies to the Havre Fire Department.
The cookies were placed in colorful boxes and delivered to the teachers lounges.
It Makes A Difference Day is just one Auxiliary Americanism Committee activity. They also make sandwiches for blood drawings and donate flags to groups and organizations that need them.
Havre Girl Scouts meeting at the Girl Scout House Monday were just such a group, receiving a flag and a healthy dose of Americanism.
Their new flag was hoisted to the top of the flagpole as approximately 40 children said The Pledge of Allegiance. The girls also received instruction on the proper care of the American flag and how to show respect for the flag from VFW Auxiliary President Marian Buell.
It always makes me feel so good inside when I can help somebody else, Buell said. Its a wonderful feeling.
About a dozen auxiliary members share the wonderful feelings several times a year at various Americanism activities.
The auxiliary keeps two or three flags on hand just in case someone asks for one, Kirkedahl said.
The three-foot by five-foot flags have also been given to the Hill County Fairgrounds, Havre schools, and the North Havre Food Bank. Catholic Daughters in Havre is expected to be the next organization to receive a free flag.
Its always a good feeling to help your fellow man, Kirkedahl said. To be available when theres something going on.
Valeri Malsam, service unit manager for the Havre Girl Scouts, referred to the donation and instruction as great.
A lot of (the girls) have absolutely no education on the American flag and on patriotism and on their country, Malsam said. Its very important to them just to get that feeling of this is my country.
She also said it helps give the girls the feeling that they have a responsibility to give something back.
The flags are purchased using funds from auxiliary dues and from various fund-raisers held throughout the year. A primary fund-raiser is the Wednesday night dinner the Auxiliary holds at the VFW Club in Havre each week. The dinner is open to the public.
