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Janesville area VFW ladies auxiliary marks 80 years

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Madge Murphy

JANESVILLE — Wisconsin’s largest Veterans of Foreign Wars ladies auxiliary is 80 years old.

“For any organization to last that long and to be as strong as we are in the community and the state, I think it speaks highly of the organization and commitment of the women who signed that charter,’’ said Madge Murphy, past president and life member of Kienow-Hilt Auxiliary to VFW Post 1621.

They celebrated Saturday with a dinner, program and dignitaries.

Only a couple VFW Auxiliaries in Wisconsin are older.

“We’re right up there in the top five oldest,’’ said Jean Hoium, treasurer and life member.

The auxiliary installed its first officers Jan. 5, 1930, and had 30 charter members. Today, it is 507 members strong.

“We’ve lost a lot of members in the last five years through death,” Hoium said.

But, the auxiliary has been gaining members since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The membership is slowly building with young people,’’ Hoium said.

“They’re joining due to the need to support veterans and the community,” Murphy said.

Membership peaked at 569 in 1983, Hoium said.

Through the years, the post and auxiliary have worked together to raise money for projects. They sponsor scholarship programs, veterans’ homes in four states, the Voice of Democracy audio-essay scholarship program, the Patriots Pen youth-essay contest and the Buddy Poppy Program that raises money to support the veterans and their families.

The auxiliary raises money by providing meals during bingo Tuesday nights at the VFW, 1015 Center Ave.

“That’s how we make the money for scholarships and cancer research,” Hoium said.

Since 1987, the Ladies Auxiliary nationwide has raised around $3 million to support cancer research to aid members stricken with the illness.

The auxiliary also is involved in local community service projects. This includes donating time and money to Salvation Army, ECHO, school breakfast clubs and Rock Haven.

Each auxiliary president, at each level—local, district, state and national—has programs they emphasize.

The auxiliary has tried to change with the times, Murphy said.

“The auxiliary started between World War I and WWII,” Murphy said. “During peace times the focus is more community minded.

“Now, we’re more active in what we can do for veterans and their families.’’