By Catherine Ellerton
Moapa Valley Progress
The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #75 held its annual Crop-athon on Saturday, February 9 in the Old Overton Gym. As I entered the doors of the Old Gym, I was greeted by a gentle lady, who, with tears in her eyes said, “Hello! I’m Carol! I’m a Scrap-a-holic!” I looked in her eyes, seeing the joy and enthusiasm, hugged her mentally, and said, “I am too!” And fell off the wagon.
With page poppers, memory cards, pins, decals, stickers, ribbons, pre-decorated pages, Brad Buddies, files and ink supplies, could you blame me? The temptation was much too great! And, I found the neatest calendar to make as a Christmas Gift from “Heartstring Designs” of Las Vegas!
Then there was the Sizzix Tool Center and the goodies featured by vendor “3 Peas In A Pod” from Las Vegas. The air sizzled with the enthusiasm of those in attendance.
Reba Digitale from Las Vegas stated this was her third Crop Party. She is making a scrapbook for her own amazement. Then I talked with mother-soon-to-be Shaylee Fly, of Overton, who makes scrapbooks for her daughters Genna and Gia and is beginning to gather information and pictures for her son-to-be. “It’s never too early to start,” Shaylee said with a smile. . . and you feel that old enthusiasm returning.
American Legion Auxiliary members, Suzie Fly and Kim Hudrlik were the co-chairpersons for this 3rd annual Crop-A-Thon. Suzie said, with great enthusiasm, that they are planning a two day Crop-a-thon. . . sort of a Crop ‘Til You Drop Party . . . possibly an overnighter . . . sometime in November.
Gayle DeCaria was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a few snacks thrown in.
The food for the event was donated by Lin’s Marketplace and Sugar’s Home Plate Restaurant and members of the Auxiliary. She advised that, in addition to sponsoring this type of money-raising event, the Auxiliary also has many other programs, such as: Adopt-A-Vet, supplying “Ditty Bags” for the two VA Wards at the Michael O’Callahan Hospital at Nellis Air Base, Coats for Kids, donations to Toys For Tots and the MV High School Forensics Team and a Welcome Back Program for returning Vets. This government mandated organization is for, and run by, women who are veterans or have some family member that is a veteran. Gayle continued that “it has been found that 80% of homeless men are Veterans. The need for help is always there so others will not become homeless.”
Laden down with my goody bag I left the Crop-A-Thon knowing that I would return, if not to crop, certainly to look and purchase all the new goodies.
