VFW hosts fundraising raffle

Local VFW and American Legion Posts held a fundraising raffle last Wednesday, December 15, at Ray's Food Place community room.

Sisters artist Wendy Bachmeier donated an original framed watercolor painting of our Three Sisters peaks set against an American flag sky to the organizations this fall. The art was also accompanied by 250 deluxe notecards and envelopes provided in part by XPress Printing. Jack Kinsey directed the affair and plucked out the name of Matt Cyrus as the lucky winner.

"All these funds we raise are to assist Sisters area veterans for their individual needs they may have as a result of their service to our country," said Kinsey. "We truly appreciate Wendy's offering, and want to thank the support and generosity of the Sisters community. They always come through for us."

"I've been painting for about eight years, and this was actually a painting I did for Dale Carter six years ago that kinda got lost in the shuffle," said Bachmeier. "He decided he didn't need it anymore for his 'Letters To The Soldiers' program due to their switch to e-mails. So I called Jack and asked him if I could donate it."

VFW Senior Commander Earl Schroeder was gratified by how it all came together.

"It was amazing, out of the blue she comes with this painting," he said.

Also this week, members of the High School Leadership Committee were honored Tuesday, December 14, at Sisters High School by the joint posts of the VFW and American Legion with a special letter of appreciation, thanking them for their organization and smooth execution of the annual Veterans Day breakfast and

program.

American Legion Adjutant Lance Trowbridge delivered the letter to the student group in front of the entire student body during their noontime assembly.

"This was for all their hard work putting together the ceremonies for Veterans Day, including the food, the choir, band and the whole service," he said. "It went off without a hitch and was highly expressive. They did an awesome presentation. It was very representative and inclusive of the local veterans and I know they appreciated all their great efforts."

The leadership council is fronted by teacher Christy Rawls and consists of students Kaity Douglass, Erik Lund, Astrid Hayland, Jacob Akaka, Naomi Eckstine and Beth Eckstine.