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American Legion Auxiliary installs new officers

by Katie Arvia

LANSING, Ill. (September 11, 2019) – On September 4, the American Legion Auxiliary swore in eight new officers to Edward Schultz Unit 697. The appointments were made at the beginning of their monthly meeting and were effective immediately. The new appointments are:

  • Sandi Gangolf – President
  • Donna Murphy – 1st Vice President
  • Evelyn Brczyki – 2nd Vice President
  • Debbie Recker – Treasurer
  • Rachelle Vinson – Secretary
  • Shannon Koontz – Historian
  • Fran Mabry – Chaplain
  • Sheila Reed – Sergeant-At-Arms
officers
The American Legion Auxiliary swore in eight new officers to Edward Schultz Unit 697. (Photo: Katie Arvia)

Carol McFarland swore in the new officers. (Photo: Katie Arvia)
New officers were sworn in and had their duties explained by Carol McFarland, 8th District President, and local members Darlene Line and Patty Grigutis.

The American Legion Auxiliary is celebrating 100 years in 2019 and is the largest women’s veterans organization in the United States, with over 1,000,000 members across the country. The Lansing chapter alone has 132 members who do work throughout the village to benefit residents. Children and youth, community service, education, and veterans’ affairs are just a few of the programs the ALA supports.

This year, the ALA collected and distributed over $600 worth of school supplies to Lester Crawl, Reavis, Nathan Hale, Oak Glen, and Coolidge. The group has also donated to the Patti Leach Youth Center, Lansing Public Library, Lansing Police Department, Lansing Fire Department, Camp Quality, and many other local organizations.

Upcoming projects for the Lansing unit include their annual pancake breakfast (November 9, from 8:00– 11:00am), a blood drive, and boxes to send to overseas troops as well as the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago.

“We’re always looking for ways to help in the community and help our veterans,” explained newly-installed president Sandi Gangolf.

To join the American Legion Auxiliary, applicants must be a direct descendant of a member of the American Legion or a direct descendant of a person who served in the Armed Forces. Applicants are also eligible for membership if they themselves served in the Armed Forces.

For more information on the American Legion Auxiliary, visit ilala.org. To learn more about the Lansing chapter, contact Sandi Gangolf at 708-642-8422 or [email protected].

Katie Arvia
Katie Arvia
Katie is a lifelong Lansing native who currently works full-time in marketing while also freelance reporting for The Lansing Journal. In 2015, she graduated with high honors from Saint Xavier University in Chicago with a BA in English, and she plans to pursue a Master's degree in the near future. Her favorite Lansing Journal assignments include coverage of TF South High School's walkout ("Demonstrating the possibilities") and her St. Patrick's Day interview with her grandma ("St. Patrick's Day traditions: reflections of an Irish granddaughter").