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Ladies Auxiliary
The Ladies Auxiliary of Local 666 was organized on February 1, 1952. The charter was drawn and signed by thirty-one ladies. One present member and four current honorary members signed this certificate of affiliation.
The auxiliary quickly set to work electing officers, with Betty Mehl chosen as president, Virginia Bradshaw as vice president, and Helen Coleman as secretary. The first meetings were held at the Labor Temple and later moved to members' homes. During a short period, meetings were held in the Red Cross Building while the ladies rolled bandages. Presently, meetings are held at the Midtown Health Center.
In 1975 the auxiliary voted to drop the affiliation with the union, allowing membership to all wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters of firefighters.
The purpose of the Ladies Auxiliary is to lend support to the Fire Department in any way they can. An example of this involvement occurred when new flameproof protective gear was badly needed to replace the old black canvas coats. The auxiliary campaigned, attended commission meetings, and, finally, they sent two members to Washington, D.C. with the help of the Fireman's Relief Association (furnishing expenses). Sharon McDonald and Mary Todd visited the committees and senators who would make the final decision. The efforts of the auxiliary would prove to be a great success, when in 1976 all protective gear was replaced, made of new "Nomex" brand flameproof material.
Each year the members vote to take on some special project or worthy cause. In 1977, for example, Peter Carney was selected as the auxiliary's special cause, and the members each became a "secret pal". Other past and present projects include: contribution to the John Redman Society; support to the Kansas State Firefighters Association; continuing involvement with Muscular Dystrophy; volunteer work with the Elks Training Center (school for the retarded); food baskets at special times (funerals, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.); provided articles (bedding, etc.) for the Booth Memorial Hospital, and provided help to the Pleasant View Nursing Home.
The current membership of thirty-four elected for 1978 the following officers: President, Barbara Owens; Vice President, Sandy Anderson; Secretary, Terri Anderson; and Treasurer, Kitty Labelle. The remaining membership includes: Millie Addis, Kathy Bricknell, Ruby Burnett, Evelyn Davis, Joyce Devore, Carol Fiant, Lucy Franks, Marcene Gunter, Delores Hamrs, Dorothy Hobbs, Georgia Kirschbaum, Wanda Kraus, Kitty Labelle, Ethelyn Laughary, Helen Leake, Connie Lickey, Vonda Lee Life, Delores Lieurance, Shirley McCullum, Sharon McDonald, Evelyn Macy, Kim Montgomery, Elois Page, Francis Protheroe, Jean Schulte, Carol Smith, Leona Stroud, Mary Todd, Wanda West, Rosie Williams, and Doris Willis.
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Related to 13 - Divisions and Organizations (1978) |
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