CLEARLAKE ? Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 2337 Ladies” Auxiliary is being led by an ambitious woman who happens to be the youngest ever to serve as an auxiliary president for the VFW within the State of California. Jamie Jordan, 18, is putting aside her timid persona and taking the reigns of the organization, which typically consists of a much older membership.
“I”m the youngest person to ever be elected to the position of auxiliary president in the history of the state. It”s intense because there is so much responsibility,” Jordan said. “Everyone relies on me to lead them and guide them in our functions, but it”s always reassuring to know that I”m supported by my fellow officers.”
Jordan said being in the spotlight, running and organizing membership meetings and club functions and fundraisers, is a bit nerve racking but she”s enjoying the challenge. “It”s hard to make everyone happy,” she said.
Jordan was elected auxiliary president in May, just prior to her graduation from Lower Lake High School. “My grandpa was in the Army and I wanted to honor him because I never met him,” she said. “I thought contributing my time to the Ladies” Auxiliary and the VFW was a good way to honor him and I get to honor the troops, too.”
Jordan is the youngest member of the Ladies” Auxiliary while the oldest is Hazel Stark, who is 81-years-old. Members are typically closer to Stark”s age rather than Jordan”s but that is something the new president aims to change.
“The majority of our members are from the Vietnam Era. We”d like to see a more diverse age range within our membership. We invite people whose loved ones have served in any foreign conflict to join our auxiliary,” Jordan said. “At one point membership reached more than 100 women. I would like to see that happen again.”
Jordan said another area she”d like to promote is the club”s visibility within the community. “I would like to see the auxiliary grow and be a bigger part of the community. We need to make the auxiliary more visible in the community so that more people are aware of their opportunities in our organizations. We hold fundraisers, host dinners and support the endeavors of VFW Post No. 2337,” she said.
One of the main endeavors VFW Ladies” Auxiliary groups support is cancer research and prevention efforts. Annual contributions include funding a $100,000 post doctoral fellowship for a scientist researching cancer. “This is one of the main fundraisers that the Ladies” Auxiliary supports across the nation,” Carol Schwartz, auxiliary treasurer said. “We will be offering haircuts at the VFW throughout October to contribute to this cause. Suggested donation is $12 for short hair and $15 for long.” For more information call the VFW at 994-4748.
Jordan said the auxiliary is also looking toward establishing a program aimed at providing direct support of a troop and his/her family. “That is the most important thing because that”s what the VFW is all about ? veterans and families,” she said.
“We provide support to our troops and their families after they return and while they are away. I think it”s important for our troops as well as their family members to know that someone is there and cares about them and appreciates the sacrifices they are making for their country.”
Jordan said she”s pleased with the relationship the auxiliary has with the VFW. “I”m seeing more open lines of communication between the auxiliary and post, which allows for better organization and collaboration in bringing events to the community and to post members,” she said.
The auxiliary will assist Post No. 2337 Saturday in a fund-raising barbecue that will benefit the Lake County Military Honors Team.
Suggested donation is $8 per person. Steak and chicken will be served along with favorite barbecue side dishes. The barbecue will begin at 11 a.m. and continue to closing.
