Most mothers take pictures, keep immunization records, and put together scrapbooks for their kids. But these records can be missing for foster children.The Paynesville American Legion Auxiliary members recently addressed this gap by making memory books for foster children.
Legion auxiliary members are: (front) Alice Gronli, Betty Freilinger, Lois Nehring, Mary Ellen Morris; (back) Ole Kremer and Clarice Albrecht.
"Life Memory Books" are waiting to be filled with information by foster parents. The auxiliary members made 24 books as part of their district president's project.
The books are being donated to the Stearns County Social Services to be distributed to foster children. Each book contains pages for family pictures, for summer and winter activities, holidays, personal information, immunization records, trips and travel, and favorite pets.
Dorothy Martinson used her computer to compose section dividers while Ellen Guenther and Eleanor Nepsund helped the women stamp different images and designs on the pages.
Work started on the books in January. They were shipped off to St. Cloud last week.
The Paynesville American Legion Auxiliary has about 139 members. They meet at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the American Legion.
Besides the memory books, other auxiliary projects include Girls State, selecting a delegate and alternate from the junior class; American Education Week when members deliver apples to teachers; poppy posters, and a Memorial Day dinner.
They also donate to the West Central Education Unit for hearing impaired equipment, give gifts to veterans at local nursing homes, and host a birthday party at the St. Cloud Veteran's Medical Center.
Last week, the members served cake and coffee to Legion members commemorating their 82nd birthday.
The Legion auxiliary's birthday is in November when they will celebrate their 82nd birthday.