American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166
Our Team
Debbie Ballew
President
Judy Salo
Vice President
Julie Rowe
Secretary
Dee Costello
Treasurer
Vicky Eley
Chaplain
Janice Mc Gough
Sergeant At Arms
Marion Healy
Executive Committee
Barb Trip
Executive Committee
Dorene Bettis
Executive Committee
Who we are
Our Auxiliary membership is made up of 142 members who are the spouses, mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and adopted daughters of Veterans.
We hold our membership meetings on the second Monday of every month at 10:30AM at Post 166.
We are a community of Volunteers serving Veterans, Military and their Families. We support our Post, our Veterans, and our community with activities throughout the year that include:
Poppy Donations
May is Poppy Month
The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. All donations received from the sales are used for programs that support veterans in need, and their families. Donations for Poppies may be made at the Post, and at Walden Woods (various times) .
Poppy's are distributed on Poppy Day (the last Friday of May), Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Keeping Our Veterans Warm
We collect clothing for men, women, and children, bedding items, back packs, blankets and towels for Daystar. The staff at Daystar identifies the Citrus County homeless Veterans when they come for assistance. They are then given a voucher that allows them to select clothing and bedding items at no cost to them.
Girls State
This program provides a unique and coveted educational opportunity for young women to receive citizenship training through a weeklong hands-on program involving a mock city, county and state government. Girls completing their junior year in high school are nominated in December to attend during the summer before their Senior year. The unit pays a fee to American Legion Auxiliary Department of Florida for them to attend and they provide a small stipend in spending money. The Girls State program takes place at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Donation to President's Jane's sprecail project: Gary Sinise's Snow Ball Express
"Somewhere over the rainbow" District 4's theme) Candy Jar presented to President Jane
Poppy Wreath made by secretary Julie Rowe for President Jane in recognition of the Poppy
50 Ditty Bags prepared for the homeless veterans that come to Daystar for assistance
Our Unit prepares ditty bags with help from President Jane, 2nd Vice Charlotte and District Pres. Natalie
Unit 166 presented President Jane with her own flat member and pose with all the flat members.
1981 school supplies items sorted for Give 10 to Education Program are ready to be delivered to our community
Secretary Julie Rowe prepares to unload box of school supplies to CASA in Citrus County
2021 - 2022 Unit President Judy Salo was presented the "Past President" pin by new President Debbie Ballew
Volunteers fron Unit 166 participated in Adapt-A-Highway , with a little help from our American Family members to clean Grove Cleveland Ave on May 1, 2022
2023 Officers with District 4 American Legion Auxiliary President and former Member of Post 166, Natalie Scott
Unit 166 after being presented with the 2022-2023 membership ribbon for obtaining over 100% membership
Member Tammy Chainey and her Poppy donation table set up at the Sugarmill Woods Country Club
Past President Judy Sal and Helen Long with their Poppy table outside of Homosassa Winn Dixie
Member Jeanne MacBurnie and Janice Habich set their Poppy table up at the Homosassa Publix
Member Lind Golfiero with her Poppy donation table in front of the American Legion Post 166
Executive Committee Marion Haley with her Poppy Table at Howard's Flea Market
ALA Department of FL President Wanda Brandt explaining how she became involved with the ALA
ALA Unit 166 President Judy Salo presenting a gift bag to ALA President Wanda Brandt
ALA Department of FL President Wanda Brandt showing off her new shirt presented to her by Unit 166
ALA Unit 166 President Judy Salo presenting a check to Wanda Brandt for her special Projects
Food collected by members of Post 166 for the Veterans Coalition Food Bank
President Judy Salo presenting a check to Veterans Coalition Food bank Chairmen Richard Floyd
Presentation of a check From Crystal River Eagles Auxiliary for sponsorship of a GIrls State candidate.
Presentation of a check to K9 Partners for Patriots with providing training and service dogs for Vets
Presentation of a check from the Walden Woods North Social Club to be used towards helping Veterans
Presentation by Barb Trip and Sherri McDaniel of funds raised at Walden Woods for Poppies on Veterans Day
Operation Home Front Toys - Packed and headed to Citrus County Foster Parents Association
Thirty Four hams purchased by the Auxiliary to be donated to Day Star Life Center
Car is loaded down as Judy & Debbie leave for District 4 meeting with Unit 166's donations for Blessing Buckets
Installation of new VP Dee Costello & Executive Committee Member Julie Rowe
Breana -Unit 166's 2021 Girls State Representative attending the ALA meeting to share her experiences
Poppy cup and saucer presented to ALA Unit 166 President Judy Salo for her commitment to the Unit
Members prepare Care Packages to thank the Veterans attending the Veterans day Celebration at Post 166
This car packages contained cookies, beef sticks, crackers, a star from a worn flag, flag pin & a Poppy
ALA President Judy Salo presents a $215.00 check to Acting Commander Bob Ballew for Post 166's Building Fund
ALA member Janice McGrough is named Member of the Month for October
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