American Legion Auxiliary raises money for Lansing youth and children
by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (April 9, 2022) – The first three Friday nights in April — April 1, 8, and 15 — visitors to the American Legion bar find dozens of Easter eggs hanging from the ceiling. The Legion Auxiliary’s “Easter Egg Fundraiser” is now an annual tradition that has been running for at least six years.
Patrons at the bar can buy an egg for $1.00. Inside each egg is a number. Each number is already assigned to a prize. Donors can redeem their numbers immediately, and Auxiliary members will bring out the wrapped, numbered prizes.
Legion Auxiliary President Sandra Gangolf says they do most of their shopping for prizes at local dollar stores, but they also receive donated items from local businesses. “So you never know what you’re going to get,” she says.
“All monies from the eggs go to children of Lansing,” said Gangolf. The Auxiliary will donate a large portion to the Family Giving Fund run by the Lansing Area Chamber, and the rest will go to other local programs.
The April 1 Easter Egg Fundraiser brought in $226, and by the end of April 8 the Auxiliary had added $237 to that. Friday, April 15, the Legion will host the final installment of the fundraiser, and the Auxiliary hopes to reach a total of $800 by 10 p.m. that night.
Lansing’s American Legion Post 697 is located at 18255 Grant Street in Lansing. The bar is located in the lower level of the building and is open to members as well as non-members. The April 15 Easter Egg Fundraiser will run from 6 – 10 p.m.
Related
- April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
- American Legion gets a facelift (February 2021 article)
- Human Relations Commission to host child abuse prevention event April 6
