Fundraisers and other Oxford Auxiliary Events

The ALA is the world's largest, nonprofit, patriotic women's service organization, celebrating over ninety years of serving veterans, their families and their communities. The proceeds from fundraisers, like these, go back into the community to aid in literacy, education, charities and more including the ALA Unit 376 scholarship, Middle School best social studies grade award, Community Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Community Gift Baskets, and donations to the Volunteer Services of the NYS Veterans' Home at Oxford.

Memorial Paper Poppies - the red flowers of remembrance, are made available through the Oxford Auxiliary during the Memorial Day parade and at other locations around town. The Memorial Poppy serves as a reminder to Americans of the sacrifice of life and health made by the men and women of our Armed forces, and represents the hope that none have died in vain. This distribution to the public is one of the oldest and most widely recognized programs of the American Legion Auxiliary and dates back to 1918 after World War I. The Auxiliary sincerely hopes that when you see Memorial Poppies being offered, you will donate to American Veterans and their families. Please help support our veterans who have served unconditionally for us to enjoy the freedom that we continue to have today. Wear your Memorial Poppy proudly!

Oxford's first Jr. MISS POPPY, Allison Beckwith, was in the 2013 Memorial Day Parade. This Jr. Auxiliary member wore a satin sash and a garland of red paper poppies. She also wore a medal that was awarded her great-grandfather, Robert Carey, from WWII.

Our second, 2014 MISS POPPY was Lacey Marie Hathaway. She wore the sash and rode in the 2014 Memorial Day Parade.

Our third and fourth, 2015-2016 MISS POPPY was Brienne Paige Charles. Brie is the great-grandaughter of WWII veteran Richard Charles.

Our 2017 & 2018 honorees were a pair of MISS POPPYs- Jillian and Jocelyn Finch. These sisters are both Junior ALA members who carry on a great legacy in the American Legion. They are great-granddaughters of the late Auxiliary leader Sarah "Sally" Finch (well known today for the Finch Book and Education Fund), as well as their late great grandfathers Floyd L. Finch and William H. Ballin, both veterans of WWII. They have a lot to be proud of!

ALA Harvest Dinner is held on the fourth Friday in October, from 5-7 p.m. Community members are invited to have a delicious hearty, home cooked meal and support this good cause, the Finch Book and Education Fund. The proceeds from the dinner are used for a memorial fund named after Sarah "Sally" Finch, a once proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Sally, who passed away in 2003, helped sponsor volunteer programs on the national and local levels of the ALA. This book and education fund was started in 2000 under Sally’s direction to promote literacy for the Oxford community youth. The Finch Book and Education Fund provides books for the Oxford Academy Primary School students. To date, the Oxford Legion Auxiliary has donated well over $7,000.

Sunday Community Breakfast at the Oxford Post #376
On the fourth Sunday of each month, the Oxford Auxiliary volunteers to help with the Community Breakfast that is served from 7:30 - 11:00 a.m. at the Post home. The Legion has been offering the $7 all-you-can-eat 'Community Breakfasts' for over ten years. You can have pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, homefries, French toast, OJ, and coffee/tea/cocoa. Specials: on the first Sunday of each month: S.O.S. gravy and on the 3rd Sunday of each month: sausage gravy and biscuits.

Be sure to pick up a (free) Breakfast Club Card. Buy 10 breakfasts and the next one is on the house!

Cinco de Mayo Dinner
On the first Saturday of May the Oxford Auxiliary has a Mexican "fiesta" with delicious food, like tacos and fresh pico de gallo, Mexican music, and colorful decorations. A few students from the Oxford Academy Spanish class have made us some papel picado/ cut paper flags. (For the over 21 group, Margaritas anyone?)

ALA Annual New Year's Eve Party
2013 was the first ever event and it was a FUN fundraiser! Everyone wanted us to do it again - but it was dropped from the 2015 calendar due to personal event conflicts. Watch our calendar if it is rescheduled. The party was at the Legion December 31st, from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.! We had party hats, party blowers, DJ Dennis and the 5 Minute Idols for all genre of wonderful dance music, great appetizers, open bar (beer, wine, and well drinks) from 9-12, wonderful items for 9 basket raffles, and a champagne midnight toast-- everything needed for a perfect New Year's Eve Party! Sparkle in the lights; dress to impress with shoes for the dance floor. Tickets were on sale in December at the Legion bar: $30 per single adult (21+) and $50-for couples.

Unit 376 added a Valentine's Dance Party to their busy calendar in 2014 & 2015, but weather proved to be a snowy problem in the latter. This may not be repeated. Check our calendar, you never know. There were tables full of food, lights, dancing, free drinks, and basket raffles. Music was provided by DJ Dennis and the 5 Minute Idols. It was another fabulous night to remember!

Rada Cutlery - The Fort Hill Auxiliary is offering three of Rada Cutlery’s most popular items: the (6 3/4” long) regular paring knife, the (8 7/8” long) serrated tomato slicing knife, and the (7 1/4” long) vegetable peeler. The “tomato” knife can certainly be used for other vegetables, but its unique dual serrated blade prevents tomato squashing. Made in the USA, all three have beautiful silver brushed aluminum handles which have been offered since Rada started making knives in 1948. The Rada knives and peeler are available for $6 each during Sunday breakfasts or call for other arrangements.

How To: If your ALA (or other group) would like to see how we make our donation cans, here is a tutorial with pictures in a PDF document. Enjoy! Donation Can How To