Johnston-Blessman Post 38

3220 W. College Ave, Appleton, WI 54914

920-733-9840

Welcome Legionnaires

and the Whole American Legion Family -

This page is for you!

One Team, One Mission - We are...

"Veterans Helping Veterans"

Join us on Facebook Click Here

Make sure to click "here" at the bottom of this page to see past Post 38 events and happenings!

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***2025-2026 POST ELECTION***

MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025

On Monday, May 5th, Post 38 will hold its election for 2025-2026 Post officers and available positions.

ALL BALLOTS must be turned in NLT 5:30pm on Monday, May 5th. If you are unable to come to the Post for the meeting, you can still vote by sending in your ballot to the following address:

American Legion Post 38

ATTN: Ballot Committee

3220 W. College Ave

Appleton, WI 54914

ALL ballots shall be contained in a sealed envelope with the voter's name LEGIBILY written on the outside of the envelope. ALL members voting, MUST BE CURRENT MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING WITH PAID DUES!!!

If you have NOT paid your dues, you are ineligible to vote in this election.

The Ballot was contained in the most recent Quarterly Reporter. For ease of this election process, click here to download the ballot for the 2025-2026 Election.

***NEW MEETING TIME***

MONTHLY MEETING & PRE-MEETING MEAL

Monday, APRIL 7, 2025

PRE-MEETING MEAL @ 5:30-6:20PM

OFFICIAL MEETING at 6:30PM

Our April monthly meeting will occur on Monday, April 7, 2025 at our NEW TIME 6:30pm. There will be a pre-meeting meal beginning at 5:30pm, of delicious sloppy joes and chips. Please consider attending YOUR meeting at there is always a lot of great information being put out.

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MONTHLY MEETING NOTES

MARCH 2025

The Post Meeting Minutes for March 2025 are now available for download. Click here.

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QUARTERLY REPORTER

(2nd Quarter)

April - June 2025

The Second Quarterly Reporter for 2025 is now available for review. There is a lot of valuable information in the Reporter and it allows our members to get a pulse on Post 38 events and happenings. Click Here

As always, thank you for your continued support of our American Legion Post 38.

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INFORMATION AND NEWS

YOU CAN USE!

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2025 AMERICAN LEGION BRAT FRY

MENU AND PRICE LIST

Apr 2nd - Oct 29th

11:00-2:00pm

The 2025 for the American Legion Post 38 Brat Fry Menu and Price List. Please consider sharing this with your friends, family and company employees.

Brats, Burgers, and Hot Dogs served every Wednesday, rain or shine from 11:00-2:00pm, starting April 2, 2025, going through October 29, 2025.

We look forward to seeing you!!

**NOTE: For larger orders/corporate orders, please contact Post 38 at 920-733-9840 to place ahead to prevent long wait times.

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MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD

SPECIAL DATE: APRIL 15TH DAY OF PURPLE

April is designated as Month of the Military Child.

The Defense Department celebrates military children during the month of April. There are more than 1.6 million military children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parents' service.

The month of the military child was established in 1986 by Caspar Weinberger, a Defense Secretary. Since then, April has been considered as the military kid month by the Department of Defense and celebrated by all military branches.

Every year, the President gives a proclamation about the month of the military child.

The key event for the month of the military child is the national Purple Up day. It is on April 15 and is a military child appreciation day. In essence, to thank and show your support, you would wear purple for military children across the nation. Americans everywhere are encouraged to do this.

But why purple for military children appreciation?

The idea is that purple represents all the branches of the military: the Army’s green, Marine Corps’ red, Air Force’s blue, Navy’s blue, and Coast Guard’s blue combined together makes purple.

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AUNT ESTER'S ATTIC FASHION SHOW

Thursday, April 24, 2025

6:00-8:00pm

What does the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 38 and Aunt Ester's Attic have in common?

The answer - a desire to help veterans within our community and provide them with the support they and their families need during trying times.

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 6-8:00pm, Auxiliary Unit 38 will host a fashion show at the Appleton American Legion Post 38 (3220 W. College Ave, Appleton, WI). Tickets for this event are only $15.00 per person. Each person purchasing a ticket, will receive a 15% discount on their purchase at Aunt Ester's Attic. Additionally, your ticket purchase includes a dessert, coffee, and water, with fun giveaways!

In case you have not heard about Aunt Ester's Attic, it is a fashion boutique located at 2191 W. Spencer, Spencer Village, Appleton, WI. This fashion boutique focuses on new fashion accessories including hats, scarves, jewelry, etc.

They also have hand-made journals (made in the USA); paintings by local artists, and wonderful jewelry and figurines fashioned from antique silverware, just to name a few. To learn more about Aunt Ester's Attic, please visit here: https://auntesthersattic.com/fashion-boutique/

The proceeds from this event will be used to help veterans and their families in our community. Please consider joining the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 38 for a fun-filled evening.

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SUICIDE AWARENESS MARCH

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025

Registration 8:30-9:45am

Walk begins at 10:00am

NO MORE SUICIDE AWARENESS EVENT

The 8th annual 22 No More Suicide awareness event is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, 2025. Registration begins at 5:30-9:45am and the 2.2 Ruck March/Walk will begin at 10:00am.

This event takes place at Moraine Park Technical College 235 N. National Ave, Fond du Lac WI.

Please consider attending this event.

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BLUE STAR MOMS

COLLECTION FOR OUR TROOPS

(Collection Ends May 19, 2025)

Can you help the Post 38 Family assist our Blue Star Moms?

The Blue Star Mothers are again asking for our help in collecting some items to send to the troops. Below is a list of items they are requesting.

You can drop off your donations at the Legion Post 38. Please look for the box labeled "Troop Support" in the cloak room.

The last day items can be accepted is May 19th, so please consider donating.

FOX VALLEY AREA VETERANS ROUND TABLE CONSORTIUM

May 14, 2025

Have you heard of the great work the The Fox Valley Area Veterans Round Table Consortium is doing for our community?

The Fox Valley Area Veterans Round Table Consortium was established in 2018 as a forum to improve and promote advocacy for Veterans in the Fox Valley Area. The Veterans Round Table Consortium meets quarterly from 11-1:00pm and a light lunch is provided to those in attendance. To participate in this event, there are no membership dues or initiation fees to attend.

Simply put, this event exists to build and maintain sustainable personal and professional relationships and to reduce the duplicity of efforts, streamlining services with a focus on veterans and their needs. Please consider joining this event. You can either scan the QR Code provide, or contact John Koehler at 920-858-3310 or Tim Cody, President of the Fox Valley Veterans Counsel at 520-508-3319.

The next meeting will occur on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Make sure to RSVP if you would like to attend and know more about what the community is doing for our Veterans.

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AMERICAN LEGION VEHICLE DONATION

PROGRAM

Spring is here and it's time to recapture the space in your garage.

Have an older vehicle that you no longer need? Then consider donating it to the American Legion's Vehicle Donation Program. Donating your unwanted vehicle is super easy!

1. Contact the American Legion at 844-4-LEGION (844-453-4466) or complete their on-line donation form at https://legion.careasy.org/home

2. Schedule your FREE pick-up on your schedule

3. Receive a receipt for your generous donation. Make sure to save it for your taxes if you itemize.

Please note, your vehicle donation provides the crucial support needed for the American Legion to continue its mission.

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LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP

LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP: It's scholarship time!

If you are a Legion member in good standing and have a child or grandchild graduating from high school in 2025, they are eligible to apply for a one-time $1000 Post 38 Family Scholarship.

Applications are available from the Post or send a request to Mark Toll at mft72@aol.com.

The winner of the scholarship will be announced in June 2025.

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AMERICAN LEGION NEW MOBILE APP

The American Legion has launched a new mobile membership app – Legion+. Download the app through Apple iTunes and the Google Play store. Legion+ provides a direct route for members to access their digital membership card, manage membership information, recruit a new member, help a suicidal veteran and get the latest news on legion.org.

Check out all the new features: https://www.legion.org/.../download-the-new-legion.

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UPCOMING POST 38 EVENTS

DAY DRINKING, MEAT RAFFLE AND MUSIC EVENT

SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025

What better way to spend a Saturday than with a few of your friends at your favorite place to hang out - the Appleton American Legion Post 38 and Club 38 Bar & Grill.

Our last Meat Raffle, Day Drinking and Music event was such a hit that we decided to give it another round (get the play on words?).

All the fun and festivities ensue on Saturday April 12th, starting at 1:00pm. until???

Some of your favorite local musicians will provide entertainment (see below for details).

Don't miss out on all the fun! Remember, ALL funds raised by this event benefit the Appleton American Legion Post 38 and our programs to complete our mission of "Veterans Helping Veterans."

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BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY &

OLD FASHIONED EASTER EGG HUNT

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2025

Breakfast: 8:30-10:30am

On Saturday, April 19, 2025 come to Post 38 and enjoy some pre-Easter activities with a FREE Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. What better way to spend a Saturday morning than to see the joy and happiness on the faces of children (of all ages) when they get the chance to eat with the Easter Bunny. Mr. Bunny told us his favorite meal besides carrots are pancakes and sausage! All of this is absolutely FREE!

Mr. Bunny has assured us that he is bringing lots of eggs this year to find during the Easter Egg Hunt which will commence immediately after breakfast hours! He cannot wait to see who collects the most eggs!!

All parents must be accompanied by a child in order to attend this event. :)

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ARMED FORCES DAY BUFFET AND PARTY

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Starting at 11:00am

𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐂:

Correct date for this event, is 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

𝓐𝓻𝓶𝓮𝓭 𝓕𝓸𝓻𝓬𝓮𝓼 𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓰𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓒𝓮𝓵𝓮𝓫𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

Please consider joining Appleton American Legion Post 38 as we celebrate the Active-Duty Personnel in our community for an Armed Forces Day Party.

The celebration is on 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. We start with an All You Can Eat Chicken Buffet that features potatoes, a vegetable, rolls and other tasty treats. There will also be drinks specials as well as our traditional Sunday Bloody Mary's at only $4.00.

Buffet is served from 11-2:00 $15.00 per person ($1.00 per age for children up to 12 years of age).

The Celebration then kicks it up a notch from 2:00-5:00pm. when Ron and Mike will give a performance that pays tribute to our military personnel.

This event is absolutely FREE to attend (aside from brunch). As always, this event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Please join us in honoring our active-duty personnel.

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2025 MOMENT OF REMEMBERANCE

CEMETARY SALUTE

Sunday, May 25, 2025

In remembrance of those veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice and for those veterans whose service we remember, the Scarlet Guard Color Guard along with other service organizations will host two separate ceremonies on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

All American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and American Legion Riders members are encouraged to attend.

Please see below for additional information. These special ceremonies are so moving and provide a real-life history lesson in what it means to serve with honor.

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upcoming club 38 events

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WEEKLY

CLUB 38 BAR & GRILL

HOURS

Tuesday

Bar Open 11:00am – 8:00pm

Kitchen Open: 11:00-2:00

Lunch Limited AYCE Buffet for $10.00 per person (1 entree and sides)

4:00-7:00pm

Dinner AYCE Buffet: $12.00 per person (2 entrees and sides)

Wednesday

Bar Open 11:00am-8:00pm

Kitchen Open: 11-2:00pm

Famous Brat Fry 11-2:00

(weekly drink special during Brat Fry)

Thursday

Bar Open 11:00 – 8:00pm

Kitchen Open: 11-2:00pm

(Hot Beef Steak or Broasted Pork Chop Sandwiches)

Bar Bingo NOW Every Thursday

Friday

Bar Open: 11:00am – 10:00pm

Kitchen 11:00am – 8:00pm

Offering Dine In or To Go

Friday Fish Fry Spectacular!!

See below for additional information!

Saturday

Bar Open: 11:00am – 6:00pm

Pizza and Drink Specials

(served from 11-6:00pm)

2-topping pizza (your choice of Sausage/Cheese; Pepperoni/Cheese; Sausage and Pepperoni; Sausage/Mushroom)

and 4 domestic pints for $20.00

Make it a pizza and 4 rail drinks for only $26.00

Sunday:

Bar 11:00am – 6:00pm

Kitchen Open 11:00am - 6:00pm

Serving Broasted Chicken Dinner

Offering Dine In or To Go

See below for additional information!

**CLUB 38 IS CLOSED ON MONDAY. **

(Hours are subject to change based on Club 38 and Post 38 activities. Jolly Bob's pizzas are available at the bar during bar hours. We do host activities and events that may extend the hours of the bar. Our banquet hall is available to help you plan your next function. Call: 920-733-9840 during normal business hours.)

Legal Disclaimer: All photos used highlighting food items are for representative purposes only. Club 38 Bar and Grill or the Appleton American Legion Post 38 do not endorse any particular brand unless otherwise stated and recognized. Photos taken by staff personnel are actual representations. Representative photos are available via open-source means and are available for general use and do not violate any copyright or trademark restrictions. The use of the word “broasted” is a general term and pertains to our chicken is how it is prepared – freezer to fryer. Our broasted chicken is prepared in a Broaster™ Brand Fryer and our chicken is purchased through one of their suppliers

CLUB 38 BAR & GRILL

CLOSED MONDAYS

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TUESDAYS

ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET

Lunch Buffet Served: 11:00am - 2:00pm

Dinner Buffet Served: 4:00 - 7:00pm

Did someone say, "All You Can Eat Buffet?" We sure did! At Club 38 Bar & Grill, enjoy a delicously prepared buffet with all the fixings at a price that is sure to please your wallet

Our menu will be rotate weekly, so please ensure to visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/appletonpost38

Begining April 1st, we will be offering a Lunch Buffet. The Lunch Buffet will include one entree' with sides for the great price of only $10.00 per person.

The Dinner Buffet will include two entree's with side for ONLY $12.00 per person. There is no place where you can get great food at an awesome price!!!

For each of the Buffets, kids are only $1.00 per age up to 11 years old.

Remember, when you dine at Club 38 Bar & Grill inside the Appleton American Legion Post 38, you not only support our staff, but you also ensure Post 38 can continue its mission of "Veterans Helping Veterans."

Thank you for your oustanding support of Club 38 Bar & Grill. We look forward to seeing your smiling face each and everyday we are open!!

(Images below are for representation purposes only Prices are as indicated)

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THURSDAY SANDWICH DAY

HOT BEEF SANDWICH OR

BROASTED PORK CHOP SANDWICHS

SERVED ON THURSDAYS (starting April 3rd)

11:00am-2:00pm

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BAR BINGO

Held Every Thursday of the Month

4:00 - 6:00PM

Did someone say Bar BINGO? We sure did and it is right at your very own Club 38 Bar and Grill, inside Post 38. Come join in on all the fun! We have a 100% payout!

When: Every Thursday of the Month.

Time: 4-6:00pm

Cost: $2.00 a card and $5.00 for blackout!

We also serve $3.50 rail pint mixers all night long, so see you there.

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FABULOUS FRIDAY FISH FRY

"Come for the Fish, Stay for the Drinks!"

Served All Day: 11:00-8:00

Our Famous Friday Fish Fry is quintessentially Wisconsin! Served is delicious Baked/Fried Haddock, Perch, Walleye, Shrimp (to name a few) along with a potato of your choice (including Baked, Fries, Sweet Potatoe Fries, Tator tots, etc.) with cole slaw and rye bread.

Bar Open 11am-10:00pm

Serving from 11am-8pm

(Additional Menu items are available)

Please call (920) 733-9840 to order your items "to go" in advance.

*There is a $0.50 charge per carry-out orders.

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BUON CIBO!

SATURDAY PIZZA AND DRINKS

Club 38 Bar & Grill is the place to be on Saturday, We are serving up a local favorite - Jolly Bob's Frozen Pizza. Get a 2-topping pizza and 4 domestic pints for only $20.00! Prefer rail drink to beer? We've got you covered, same number of rail drinks for only $26.00.

We'll have the TV's on for games during the day. So, stop on by and see all the friendly faces at the Appleton American Legion Post 38 and Club 38 Bar & Grill - where you are family!

Pizzas and drinks are served during normal business hours.

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BLOOD MARYS MORNINGS

SUNDAY BROASTED CHICKEN

Now Serving from 11:00-6:00PM

On Sundays, Club 38 Bar & Grill are standing by to prepare for you one of our delicious Bloody Mary's with a beer chaser. This wonderfully crafted drink can be yours for only $4.00. Yup, you are reading that correctly, only $4.00!!!!

Join your American Legion Post 38/Club 38 family for a good old-fashion, down-home country Sunday Chicken Dinner consisting of broasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Stuffing with Gravy, and all the fixin’s starting at $9.95.

So, come on down to your Club 38 for some good ole' Sunday cooking!

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RECENT POST 38 HAPPENINGS

(Post 38 Member representation)

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MARCH 2025

Certificate of Appreciation Presentation

The Appleton American Legion Post 38 has many members and volunteers who make our organization not only good, but great.

In fact, the amount of volunteer hours far exceeds the amount of paid hours. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of what we do - "Veterans Serving Veterans."

On Monday, March 3, 2025, Post 38 had the pleasure of recognizing one of those individuals who is always on call to help wherever needed. Post Commander, Jan Hoffman, presented Gary Wickert a Certificate of Appreciation for all of his hard work either helping with the bar, working in the kitchen, or doing repairs around the Post.

Congratulations Gary on a job well done!

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FEBRUARY 2025

Four Chaplains Ceremony

Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. Clark V. Poling (First Dutch Reformed Church) and Lt. John P. Washington (Catholic). What did four men of different faiths all have in common? They were all Chaplains assigned to the USAT Dorchester.

The 368-foot steamship which previously served as a luxury liner, the USAT Dorchester was operated by the War Shipping Administration. It’s mission: sail from Newfoundland to Greenland to transport 906 troops. The ship would have to navigate icy seas and pass through waters infested with German U-boats.

After midnight on Feb. 3, 1943, the Dorchester was torpedoed by a U-boat in the Labrador Sea off Greenland and went down in 20 minutes, according to official records.

The four men listed above are forever remembered as heroes, who in the face of certain death, gave up their lifesaving gear to save their fellow troops. Their memory is forever memorialized.

On Monday, February 3, 2025, the Appleton American Legion held its own memorial service honoring the faithful service and ultimate sacrifice of these four men of God. They were brave until the end, comforting those who were scared, who lost the will to live, and those who knew they had sailed their final voyage that fateful night.

It is a privilege for our Post 38 members and the Post 38 family to remember such bravery, honor such courage, and pay tribute true faithfulness.

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JANUARY 2025

MIDWINTER CONFERENCE

Press Release

Story By: Catherine Kutzleb, Appleton American Legion Post 38

Photos/Video: Catherine Kutzleb

One may ask, what does the American Legion and Pillars Adult and Family Shelter have in common? The answer is simple – a mutual desire to help veterans and others in need [in the Appleton area] who may be struggling with housing insecurity; and to help an organization within our own community, bringing awareness to homelessness, especially during the winter months.

On Saturday, January 18, 2025, the American Legion held its Mid-Winter Conference in Appleton, WI at the Hilton Paper Valley Hotel and Convention Center. Almost 600 Legionnaires and Legion Family members attended the event. It was during the convention, the Legion Family, which include all Posts, Auxiliary members, Sons of the American Legion (SAL) and Legion Riders, came together collecting items for our local shelter which provides both individual and family shelter. This year, it was determined by the 9th District, Pillars would be the recipient of such a sizeable donation.

Pillars has long served the Appleton community including those veterans who may be experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. According to Pillar’s Development Manager, Emily Boettcher, [corresponding with Post Commander, Jan Hoffman], Pillars provided assistance to “56 veteran clients” for Fiscal Year 2024 (October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024).

Pillar’s vision is simple; “envision a creative, compassionate community that collaborates to find innovative, effective solutions so experiences of homelessness are rare and brief and everyone as a place to call home.”

Our donation included a variety of items, including a substantial sock donation (donated by Wigwam Socks) an item desperately needed, especially during the colder weather months. Appleton American Legion Post 38 personnel put together 15 laundry baskets which included bath towel sets and various personal items; some with a focus on women’s health and wellness. Numerous items were donated in accordance with requests from the various Pillar locations – 6 in total, throughout the Appleton area.

Once the items were collected, they were loaded into a truck and delivered to Pillars by Wisconsin 9th District’s 2nd Vice Commander, Migeal Babino; Kennen, Wisconsin’s Post 362 Commander, Rosanna Bogle, and Sergeant-at-Arms, Larry Bogle, and Appleton’s Post 38 Communications Director, Catherine Kutzleb to the Pillars location at 605 Hancock Street, Appleton. All items donated were graciously received by Pillar staff members Nikki, Lauren, Emily, and Rye (last names withheld for security reasons).

The Pillar’s staff on duty remarked this was one of the largest single donations they have received, noting the donation would greatly benefit numerous individuals across all their facilities. The smiles in the photos capture the joy of both giving and receiving, especially when donations are desperately needed.

To learn more about this valuable program or to donate please visit https:pillarsinc.org

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2025 ORATORICAL WINNER

Congratulations to Appleton American Legion Post 38 2025 Oratorical Winner Ms. Jade Wood, a senior at Appleton North High School. Jade was the winner of both Appleton American Legion Post 38's Oratorical Contest as well as Outagamie County's Oratorical Winner. She will be competing at the 9th District's Oratorical event on February 8, 2025 at Little Chute High School at 10:00am. All area Legion members are highly encouraged to attend this event. Please ensure you are seated no later than 9:45am. Please follow the posted signs for location.

(Photos: Appleton American Legion Post 38 Commander Jan Hoffman Presenting Jade Wood with her Scholarship Check.

Also present, Bob Johnston, Oratorical Committe Head and Jade's parents)

(Photos: County 2nd Vice Commander Bill Smith (left) presented Jade Wood with her Oratorical Winner's check along with 1st Vice Commander John Carpenter and 9th District Vice Commander Miguel Babino (far right))

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To view Page 2 of Home Page Past Events , please visit here:

Page Updated: 6 APRIL 2025