This year, as they have in the past, the American Legion family organizations of Bristow Post 126 gifted local veterans and their families with food baskets for Thanksgiving; however, they were able to bless additional families this year due to the generosity of the community, meaning 25 families received food gifts.
On Saturday, November 18, officers and members of the Legion, Sons of the American Legion, and the Legion Auxiliary met at the American Legion Post on West 8th Avenue to encourage and disseminate the food baskets. Each family received a frozen turkey with roasting bags and disposable aluminum pan for cooking, a 5pound bag of potatoes, dinner rolls, ingredients for stuffing and candied yam casserole, macaroni and cheese, canned vegetables, onions, cranberry sauce, a dessert mix, and a holiday pie.
Marjeyn Mayes, MJ of the Legion Auxiliary, noted that the holiday gifting would not have been possible without the cooperation and coordination of all Legion organizations.The Auxiliary primarily focused their efforts on collecting food and assembling the baskets while turkeys and some food items were provided by the Legion and Sons organizations. Due to their combined efforts and the generosity of a local family, all food recipients received baskets with the necessary ingredients to prepare a complete Thanksgiving meal. Moreover, food basket recipients either received their blessings in person and loaded into their vehicles or delivered to their homes by officers and members of the Legion and Sons.
On behalf of the auxiliary, MJ wished to thank veterans for their service, the community for its generosity in support of veterans and their families, and the Sons and Legionnaires for allowing the auxiliary to join them in being of service to local veterans and their families for this holiday gifting. Further, she expressed special appreciation to Lady T of the auxiliary for collecting and assembling the majority of food made possible in the giftings on behalf of the auxiliary.
While observing Legionnaire Vane Bell during gift dissemination, I noticed a heartfelt desire to empathize and support each food recipient. He truly met recipients where they were in that moment. He wanted recipients to know they mattered and were not forgotten—a message made evident by all Legion organizations involved.
As the Christmas holiday season approaches, Legionnaire Bell said that Legion family organizations plan to collect gifts and food items to present to veterans and their families on December 16. They are currently seeking veterans’families in need this holiday season. If you are a veteran or know of a veteran with a family who could use some holiday cheer, please reach out to Vane Bell at 918-2311162. Families may also reach out to MJ via email at marjeyn@ yahoo.com or her Facebook Page by searching her name, Marjeyn Mayes. For now, anyone desiring to donate to the cause may anonymously drop off items in donation boxes at SpiritBank and Williams Grocery.
Vicki Grisham photo
Vicki Grisham photo