A perfect example of what can be accomplished by the post family and the community has to be the recent fundraiser at the Willoughby VFW Post 1500.
The post hosted a sold-out, standing-room-only fundraiser March 23 at the post home, 38295 Pelton Road, Willoughby.
The event was a benefit for the Littlest Heroes, a local nonprofit charity that provides financial assistance to families with children affected by cancer.
The event featured a spaghetti dinner and music by Abbey Rodeo, a band that performs music of the 60’s. It raised $1,000 for “The Littlest Heroes” because of the generosity of those who attended and from corporate sponsors OE Exchange, Century Plating, Lake County Roto-Rooters and National Threaded Fasteners.

Winter clothes
collection concludes
The Ladies Auxiliary of Perry AMVETS Post 1971, 4129 Main St., Perry, has concluded the collection of new or gently worn, warm clothes and blankets for Homeless Veterans. The project was a great success and items donated were of great quality as well as quantity. Thank you to all who contributed. For details about AMVETS projects call 440-259-5131.

Leathernecks host
spaghetti dinner
The Gold Star Chapter of the Leathernecks Nation MC will host an all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Dinner at 5:30 p.m. April 6, at the American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St., Willowick.
Tickets are $15 adult single ticket and children age 10 and younger free with a paid adult ticket. For details, contact leathernecksmc@sbcglobal.net.leathernecksmc@sbcglobal.net.

Catholic War Veterans
membership drive
John Paul II Post 1959 of the Catholic War Veterans will host a Membership/Poppy Drive at St. Cyprian Catholic Church, 4223 Middle Ridge Road, Perry at 5 p.m. April 6 and 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday, April 7.
There will also be a 50/50 drawing to support our troops.
For details, call Ken Kirchner, Second vice Commander at 440-257-2156.

Legion Riders new at Post 214
American Legion Post 214, 4304 Center St., Willoughby, now has a Legion Rider Chapter.
The riders meetings will be the second Monday of each month beginning at 7 p.m.
The first one is scheduled for April 8.
If you own a motorcycle and belong to the American Legion or if you eligible to join the Legion come be a part of the Riders at the ground level and build it up.
For details,  call the post at 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m. or email legionpost214@gmail.com.or email legionpost214@gmail.com.

Auxiliary hosts Flea Market
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit of Post 678, will host a flea market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at the post home, 570 E. 328th St., Willowick.
This is a fundraiser for veteran causes supported by the Auxiliary.

Veterans Hospitality Dinner
A family event to bring area veterans together in appreciation for their service will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Old South church, 9802 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland.
The dinner is free and there will be activities for the children. Please pre-register at ghostriderfoundation@gmail.com to assure adequate food and staff.

AMVETS host district dinner
AMVETS District 20 will host a reverse raffle and all-you-can-eat Spaghetti dinner April 27, at AMVETS Post 109, 7847 Lake Shore Boulevard, Mentor-on-the-Lake.
Tickets are $25 per person and all proceeds will benefit AMVETS 20th District that works to support veteran’s rights.
Tickets are available at all local AMVETS Posts including Post 109.

Auxiliary celebrates 25 years
VFW 3863, Ladies Auxiliary will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the auxiliary 3 to 6 p.m. April 28, at the post home, 33641 Vine St., Eastlake.
The group was originally chartered on April 17, 1988, according to VFW National offices. Reservations are requested by April 19. Tickets are $10 per person with a cash bar. The event will be catered by Koumbaro’s Catering.
Call Jean Powali at 440-944-8943 for questions or for reservations.

Yankee Doodle Salute
Western Reserve Junior Service League will host the annual Red Stocking Revue entitled “Yankee Doodle Salute!” at 7:30 p.m. May 3 and 4 at Harvey High School, 200 West Walnut Ave., Painesville
Tickets are $15 general admission and$35 reserved seating.
To thank those who have served out country, all veterans and active duty personnel with a military ID will be admitted free the night of the performance, based on available seating.
For details or to purchase tickets call 440-256-1547.
To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to The News-Herald, Attn: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

The weather should be turning warmer soon and that means one thing, — it will be cleanup time.
The annual spring cleanup work party at the Boulevard of 500 Flags is coming and the committee will need help with putting up the flags and correcting flag pole lanyards. This is a great project for Scout troops to get involved with.
Watch for further details as the weather gets warmer.
At the post level, the land surrounding the various posts will probably need volunteers to clean up winter debris and plant flowers.
Because the term “post home” is often used, cleaning up of the post should not be any different than the clean up around your own home.

Aviation collection needs a home
I received a call from a friend in Austin, Texas, who needs help with finding a home for an aviation collection which belonged to a mutual friend who died at age of 94 in July.
The collection spans the 70 years Richard F. Cooke spent as a pilot. Cooke was a flight instructor in the Army Air Corps, a transport pilot, a civilian instructor at the Chagrin Harbor Airport and a corporate pilot for companies in Florida and Texas.
Contact with museums across the country thus far have not been successful. Cooke was originally from Euclid and lived in Eastlake before moving to Florida. If you have any ideas as to a home for the Cooke collection please contact me with the information.

Ohio CPAs help
active military file taxes
The Ohio Society of CPAs is offering free tax preparation services to Ohio military families this tax season.
Now through April, Ohio Certified Public Accountants will prepare 2012 tax returns for military personnel who are permanent residents of Ohio and currently deployed outside of the state.
To find an Operation CPA volunteer in your area, call The Ohio Society of CPAs toll-free at 888-959-1212 or email cpanswers@ohio-cpa.com.

Burton post serves
pancake breakfast
Atwood-Mauck Post 459 of the American Legion, 14052 Goodwin St., Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast at the post home from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 24. For details, call 440-343-1478.

Patriot Tour in Cleveland
The Three Deuce Five Marine Foundation presents The Patriot Tour at 8 p.m. Saturday at Cretan Hall, 3853 W. 168th St. in Cleveland.
The evening comedy show with headliner Luca Palanca will begin at 8 p.m. Dinner and cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 for the dinner and the show, and a cash bar will be available. Proceeds will benefit the Marines and sailors of the 3rd Battalion 25th Marines-Brook Park, Ohio.
For tickets, call 440-342-0378.

VFW hosts
“Littlest Heroes” event
Willoughby VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, will present a spaghetti dinner followed by a performance of Abbey Rodeo beginning at 6 p.m. March 23.
The event will raise funds for “The Littlest Heroes” as well as the VFW National Children’s Home, Cleveland Area VA Hospital Treats and Care Packages for the Troops.
Tickets are $18 per person, and due to advance sales, tickets may not be available day of show. For tickets or details, call the post home at 440-951-9233.
Madison post hosting Lucky Shoots on Saturdays
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host Lucky Shoots every Saturday through March 16 at the post home. Breakfast for shooters will be $2.50; those not shooting can eat for $5. For details, call the post at 440-428-7893.

Willoughby post has
hall available for rent
VFW Post 1500, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby, has a nice hall available for rent with kitchen facilities and a bar area.
For details, call the post at 440-951-9233 or email VFW1500@yahoo.com.

Honor guard available
The American Legion Post 459 of Burton/Middlefield has a military honor guard available to perform full military funeral services. The honor guard is led by Newell Beaumier and is available 24/7 with just a few days’ notice.
For details, call “Bo” at 440-834-8764.

Reverse raffle hosted by
Catholic War Veterans
St. Vitus Post 1655 of the Catholic War Veterans will host a reverse raffle April 16 at the Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave. in Cleveland.
Only 175 main board tickets will be sold for a chance at $2,500 in total cash prizes and includes dinner and an open bar. Main board tickets cost $60 with additional dinner tickets for only $20. Consolation prizes and side boards will also be available.
Call Mike Blau for tickets and more details at 440-954-1426.

AMVETS serves
spaghetti on Thursday
AMVETS Post 40, 9141 Jordan Drive in Mentor, hosts a homemade spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. each Thursday. Cost is $7 per person, and the dinner is served with all the trimmings is open to the public. For details, call the post at 440-257-5825.

Breakfast at Gunny’s Hall
Support the Marines who have protected our freedoms and save yourself time over a hot stove on Sunday morning.
Have breakfast at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor. Served every Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon, between Labor Day and Memorial Day, the breakfast is $7.50 and is all-you-can-eat. For details, call the post at 440-974-9380.

Auxiliary collecting
warm clothing and blankets
Perry AMVETS Post 1971, Ladies Auxiliary, 4129 Main St. in Perry, is collecting gently worn or new warm clothes and blankets for homeless veterans.
The auxiliary will accept money and make the purchase if you choose to do that. The project will continue throughout the winter months and items may be dropped off at the post home during business hours.
For details, call 440-259-4242.

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094, fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.

It is not often that we hear of a new group beginning.
Ted Makse, commander of Mentor-on-the-Lake AMVETS Post 109, tells me that the AMVETS Juniors group will have its first meeting and become chartered at noon Saturday. All are welcome to attend.
The junior group is open to those who are ages 5 through 17. The young people will participate in community activities and make trips to visit hospitalized veterans in the area.
If this sounds like something a youngster in your home would be interested in, stop by the post Saturday at 7847 Lake Shore Blvd., or call the post for details at 440-257-9217.

Legion Riders host
health and wellness benefit
The American Legion Riders of Post 678, 579 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host a spaghetti dinner to benefit health and wellness. The dinner will be served from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the post home.
The dinner will include salad, rolls and spaghetti with meatball for $5.50.
For details, call 440-943-9659.

Lucky Shoots begin
Saturday
American Legion Post 112, 6671 Middle Ridge Road in Madison, will host Lucky Shoots beginning with sign-ups at 9 a.m. Saturday through March 16 at the post home.
Breakfast will be available to shooters for $ 2.50 or $5 for nonshooters.
The post also will offer dinner specials Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Visit the post website for details at www.americanlegionjaywilsonpost112.org.

Burton Legion hosts breakfast
American Legion Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the post home. For details, call 440-343-1478.
AMVETS Ladies serve breakfast
The Ladies Auxiliary of AMVETS Post 109, 7847 Lake Shore Blvd. in Mentor-on-the-Lake, will host a breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Breakfast will be $5 a person. For details, call the post home at 440-257-9217.

American Legion County
Council hosts dinner
American Legion Geauga County Council will host a chicken and dumplings dinner at Atwood-Mauck Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19. Cost is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For tickets and details, call 440-834-1191.

Burgers and Beer benefit
AMVETS Post 40 and its Ladies Auxiliary, 9141 Jordan Drive in Mentor, will host a “Burgers and Beer for Breast Awareness” 4 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 19. This is a benefit fundraiser for Beth Mills, who is fighting Stage 4 breast cancer.
The evening will include homemade burgers and fresh cut fries for $7; all beef hot dogs and fresh cut fries for $5. Cash bar, 50/50 raffle and a Chinese auction. The event is open to the public. For details call 440-257-5825.

Legion Riders
will host Chili Cookoff
American Legion Post 336 Riders will host a Chili Cookoff and Tasting from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 3 at the post home, 60 Chester St. in Painesville. Cost of the tasting is $4 a person and the tasting also will include a Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle.
There is no charge to enter and the judging will be by popular vote of the tasters.
Each entry requires at least two quarts of chili, so there is enough for everyone to taste.
For details, call 440-357-7711.

Dinner will benefit
Boulevard of 500 Flags
A fundraiser to benefit the Boulevard of 500 Flags will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick.
Tickets are $20 a person or $35 a couple. The evening will include dinner, open bar, reverse raffle, Chinese auction and side boards.
Money raised will be used to replace flagpoles and the worn American flags. Tickets are available at American Legion Post 678 or at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3863, 33641 Vine St. in Eastlake.

Abbey Rodeo entertains
at fundraiser
Willoughby VFW Post 1500 will present a fundraising spaghetti dinner beginning at 6 p.m. March 23 at the post home, 38295 Pelton Road in Willoughby.
Dinner will be served from 6 to 8 p.m. followed with entertainment by Abbey Rodeo from 8:30 to 11 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will benefit “The Littlest Heroes” as well as the VFW National Children’s Home, and Cleveland Area Veterans Affairs Hospital Treats and Care Packages for the Troops.
Tickets are $18 per person and because of advanced sales may not be available at the door.
For tickets, call 440-951-9233.

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094, fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.