Archive: Around Town

Volunteers and families gathered at Auburn's Sunset Restaurant Saturday to celebrate the successes of the North Lansing Auxiliary's 54th year.  The annual banquet attracted 65 people this year.  The Auxhiliary maintains the North Lansing fire station and provides assistance to local organizations and individuals, and scholarships to Lansing students. 

"No matter how much or how little you are involved, if not for all of you, we would not be enjoying this pleasant evening," said moderator Connie Wilcox.  "Each of you contribute to our successful Pancake Breakfasts or our annual Election Day Dinner and Supper whether it is by working, furnishing goods or just general support."


Among the many gifts the Auxiliary provides to the public the group donated $500 to the Lansing Food Pantry, $500 to the Genoa Food Pantry, and $230 for two children to receive food on weekends as part of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier's backpack program.  $400 scholarships were given to Brittany Mikula, Troy Osterman, Scott Stanton and Dan Hughes in January, after they all successfully completed their first semesters.

Fundraising efforts were impressive.  In 2013 the Auxiliary served 1420 pancake breakfasts, clearing a profit of $3834.  On Election Day the volunteers served 207 dinners and 309 suppers for an additional profit of $3479.  Auxiliary members also hosted a pancake breakfast for Lansing High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the After PROM Party, raising $1000.  Wilcox said that about 90% of all the money raised goes back to the community.


"Our biggest benefit though is having the students come to help out at those breakfasts under the direction of Kevin Wyszkowski," Wilcox said.  "They are a wonderful group of kids and some have even continued to help us out through the year which is great for us, but I also think it gives them a real sense of Community Service and what a value it is to the community and hopefully they will pick up the torch we older ones are no longer able to do it."

Wyszkowski, Dan and Karen Veaner and Wayne Pierce were given certificates of appreciation for supporting and participating in community efforts.  Becca Berga, daughter of Jason and Cathy Berga, and Daniel Purcell, son of Charlie 'Cricket' Purcell, were awarded this year's scholarships.  They will be awarded on the condition that they finish their first semester of college.  Sierra Boles, Emily Georgia, Shane Hradisky and Daniel Purcell were honored for participating in fundraising events.


While the North lansing Auxiliary has existed for 54 years, the fundraising they do extends well beyond that when the group was affiliated with the North Lansing Grange Hall, which was closed about 50 years ago.  At least five generations of Wilcox's family have participated in the Election Day Dinner and Supper for more for at least 73 years, and many other families have participated during that time.

Current officers are Irene Tyrrell, President; Dale Campbell, Vice President; Sharon Campbell, Secretary; and Connie Wilcox, treasurer.

v10i19