Membership Goal 596
President: Judith Richter
lst Vice President: Mary Ann Davis
2nd Vice President: Diane McDonald
Secretary: Debbie Williams
Treasurer: Sue McDonough
Chaplain: Pat Mudgett
Historian: Fran Granger
Sgt-at-Arms: Betty Skop
Membership: Mary Ann Davis
The Joseph E. Zaloga Unit 1520 American Legion Auxiliary held it's first meeting Tuesday November 25, 1947, at which time a letter from Albany County was read approving the application for a charter. Memberhship at this time was at forty.
The Auxiliary's first Poppy drive started in May 1948 and has continued each year with all funds used for Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation and Children and Youth programs. Memorial services are conducted each May, paying tribute to our deceased veterans and Auxiliary members.
Delegates to the Auxiliary Department Convention were elected for the first time in August 1948 and has continued each year.
Members of the Auxiliary participate in all programs, especially the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, Children and Youth, Americanism, Girls State and the Legislative programs.
From its card party and fashion show fundraisers, the Auxiliary furnished the ladies lounge, purchased draperies, lounge stools, tables and chairs for the lounge and six air condition units for the large hall when the American Legion was located at 388 Clinton Avenue in Albany New York. A stone monument with a bronze plaque in front of the Legion Post at 4 Everett Road Extension Albany New York was erected an dedicated on November 5, 2001 in honor of the Zaloga Brothers.
In 1972, memberhsip was at 200 members, and presently Auxiliary membership today is at 540 members. The Joseph E. Zaloga Unit 1520 American Legion Auxiliary is the largest unit in Albany County.
Auxiliary members have donated their time to the Post Bingo Committee since it started in June 1968 and continues to this date.
The formation of an organized Junior Auxiliary Group in September 1971 with 20 members was a long desired dream come true.
The Joseph E. Zaloga Unit 1520 Auxiliary members have served beyond the unit level. Albany County, the Third District, the Department of New York and the national organization reaped the benefits of many dedicated Joseph E. Zaloga Unit 1520 Auxiliary members. The Joseph E. Zaloga Unit 1520 Auxiliary continues to serve God and Country as they fulfill the aims and purposes of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Every year as part of its Children and Youth programs, the Zaloga Unit 1520 Auxiliary in cooperation with the Legion membership sponsors a Christmas with a visit from Santa. Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus and he visits the Zaloga Post every year. The Zaloga Unit 1520 appreciates the volunteer efforts of the Legion, Sons, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts who make the visit from Santa such a great event for the young children who love the mystery that the Christmas season brings with its hope of peace on earth.
GIRL SCOUT TROOP 714
Girl Scout Troop 714 is sponsored by the J.E. Zaloga Unit 1520 American
Legion Auxiliary as part of its Americanism program.
If you are interested in Troop 714, please contact Karen Keane at
kakeane@nycap.rr.com
The Joseph E. Zaloga American Legion Post 1520, Joseph E. Zaloga Unit 1520 American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1520 are the proud sponsors of a Hospice Room at the Stratton VA Hospital in Albany New York. This sponsorship was made possible by the generous donation of $3,000 by the American Legion, a $1,000 donation by Auxiliary Unit 1520 and a $1,000 donation from Squadron 1520. We are pleased to support the health and emotional needs of our veterans and their families.
