The GILA VALLEY VFW AUXILIARY had a busy year with numerous veterans and community projects. Auxiliary members kicked off November with the 25th annual Nickle Auction—a day featuring raffles, door prizes, and a silent auction. Exquisite Quilters from Tempe, AZ donated this year’s Patriotic Raffle Quilt.
Auxiliary members also involved with Veteran’s Day activities, preparing the Field of Honor for the flags honoring veterans and recognizing our revolutionary patriots, and participating in the Veteran’s Day Parade.
As the weather got colder, the auxiliary launched their Blankets For Bryan project – a statewide VFW Auxiliary project to procure blankets and cold weather attire for the homeless. They were joined by EAC’s Health Professions Club who set up a fun run with a cold weather item as a registration fee. Between the 2 organizations they were able to provide approximately 120 pounds of cold weather items and 25 warm meals to the Samaritan House in Safford.
The auxiliary ended November with a gathering of quilters and volunteers for a Quilts of Valor Sew Day. The event was attended by members of the SE AZ Sew & Sews, EAC Quilting classes, Gila Valley DAR, Project Luke and community members. Through the course of the day, quilt blocks for 2 QOV quilt tops were made. When quilts are completed, the auxiliary will request nominations from the community for deserving combat Veterans to receive a Quilt of Valor which will be presented at an awards ceremony.
December started with a fun filled day at Breakfast with Mr. & Mrs. Santa. It was very festive community activity with children. Participants enjoyed a Christmas pancake breakfast, kids took pictures with Santa, and made their own tree ornament to take home.
The graveside placement of wreaths is always a solemn occasion. The Auxiliary participated in Wreaths Across America, placing wreaths in both Graham and Greenlee counties.
The Auxiliary closed out 2025, by distributing items for Stocking Stuffers to the Tucson VA Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.
The Gila Valley VFW Auxiliary encourage any person that is eligible to join to do so. As a service organization, they do as much as possible for our Veterans in need, and for our community. The auxiliary currently has a small active membership and would appreciate meeting anyone who is interested in joining. Members are eligible through grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, siblings and children who served in a conflict.
In January and February, the Auxiliary will be promoting a school Patriotic Art Illustration contests grades K-8 and 2D and 3D Patriotic Art Scholarships grades 9-12. They will get the word into the schools, but entries need not come through the schools. Home-schooling entries are accepted as well. They are partnering with EAC on scholarships for students attending EAC. National scholarship prizes on 2-Dimensional art are $500 – $15,000 and 3- Dimensional scholarships are $500 – $2,500. Illustrating America cash prizes are $25-$100. Deadline for these contests is March 30. For further information contact any VFW or Auxiliary member.
