DAYTON — The 98th Department of Ohio Convention for the American Legion Auxiliary was at the Marriot University of Dayton, July 7-8.
Minster Unit 387 had four delegates and two visitors attend the two day event. Diana Hausfeld, the Americanism chairman from Unit 387, secured several awards for the unit. Her Americanism report won her the Patricia Logan Plaque for best overall Americanism report. She also won for the best overall Buckeye Girls State report. Her reporting on the Americanism activities in both Minster Elementary and Junior/Senior High School gave both schools the All-American School Award.
Martha Arling received the Doris Wainwright Award for best overall public relations book. Mary Stueve received first place for her unit scrapbook. Deb Meyer received a first place among units with 50 to 100 members for her veterans affairs and rehabilitation report, and Karen Timmerman earned a first place for her community service report. Meyer also received a second place for Most Outstanding Leadership Program.
Three Minster students placed first in their respective age groups for their essays themed “How does learning about government and our America help you become a future guardian of the liberties of our country?” Those students were Julia Mullins, Jacob Keller and Seirra Lentz.
Sarah Huwer received a Past President Parley Nursing Scholarship.
The biggest award for the weekend went to Mary Knapke, being honored as the Department of Ohio’s Unit Member of the Year. Her nomination began with “You could say that Mary is the wind beneath the wings of Unit 387. She is there working and supporting the unit in all their activities. Whenever the unit has an activity, she is the one that will ask where she needs to be and when she needs to be there.” She has been a support and friendly face to new members and those that want to take a more active role. One of her biggest accomplishments each year is her sewing ditty bags, cloth bags that hold personal care items that are distributed to patients at the Dayton VA Center, and quilts for the veterans there. She has set a goal of making 100 ditty bags a year, but this past year she made 135. She also completed 17 hand-knotted bed quilts that were distributed to veterans living in the domiciliary at the VA Center. Unit Member of the Year is the highest award that an auxiliary member can receive.
