As volunteerism continues to decline in the U.S., some organizations have stood the test of time. This includes the American Legion Auxiliary in Lemmon, which just celebrated a milestone anniversary.
The Lemmon post is just one of roughly 180 American Legion Auxiliary posts across eight districts in South Dakota.
Carol Edwards is a former department president and the current president of the Sturgis Auxiliary Unit 33, which also turns 100 this year. She said celebrations like these don’t happen all the time in small communities due to dwindling membership and support.
“But as far as those in South Dakota, they’re a small town. There's no longer the participation there," said Edwards. "When a unit gets downsized to less than 10 members, as a general rule of thumb, they turn in their charter because they're not doing the activities and they're not doing the programs. So, this is unique.”
Anna Mae Warnier agreed. She is the current state president. She drove more than seven hours to help celebrate.
“They are so very active. They support their veterans," said Warnier. "They support the veterans’ children, their families and they're supporting the whole community here. And I think it's just awesome for this small of a town of a little over 1,000 people to do this much.”
Julie Goeres, the President of Post 66, said while it’s important to acknowledge the milestones and legacy of the Auxiliary, it’s also important to look forward.
“As we embark on the next chapter, we must embrace change and remain open to new ideas. The world is evolving and so must we," said Goeres. "Our mission is as relevant today as it was a century ago, but it is our responsibility to ensure it continues to resonate for the next 100 years.”
The Sturgis Legion Auxiliary is currently planning its own centennial celebration. Auxiliaries across the state are also gearing up for their annual Christmas Gift Shop event in November, where veterans in five facilities across the state pick out Christmas gifts to send to their families free of charge.