Fort Hill American Legion Auxiliary Unit #376
17 S. Washington Avenue, Oxford, NY, 13830-0832
A Community of Volunteers Serving Veterans, Military, and their Families
The American Legion Auxiliary is the world's largest women's, and now men's, patriotic service
organization chartered November 10, 1919, 100+ years ago!
ALA Unit 376 was chartered Dec. 11, 1924, and is now 100+ years old!
Unit 376 will hold its 3rd meeting of the (Auxiliary’s fiscal) year on (changed due to Veterans Day) Monday, November 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. All ALA members are urged to attend to discuss our budget and make exciting plans for the fall and the 
Wed., November 11th, 11 am, the Fort Hill American Legion Post #376 invites you, and the community, to join them this Veterans Day for the annual ceremony. It commences precisely at 11:00 a.m., when a bell will be tolled eleven times to mirror the historical moment the armistice agreement took effect in 1918 bringing an end to the fighting in World War I. (They just called it the “World War” back then – never expecting another.) They will reflect on the service and sacrifice of members of the Nation’s armed forces with an honorable service, ceremony, “Taps,” and light refreshments. We invite veterans and active-duty military personnel who can receive a complimentary meal at the Legion bar this day. (Eat-in only.) Non Military: free will offering. The bar will be open at noon.
Our Unit 376 officer Installation for the 2026-27 year was performed at our June 2026 meeting by Legion Post Commander Jess Henninge. Installed were: Terrill Sutton - President (for a third term), April Davis- Vice President, Jeanie Petersen - Treasurer (12th term). Secretary position vacant. Trudy Huggins - Sergeant-At-Arms and Roberta Knoll- Historian.
We will have to update our Standing Rules. We voted unanimously to double our Unit Scholarship! It was $500 and is now $1000! The Class of 2026 ALA Unit 376 Scholarship...
Because we couldn’t choose between two applicants we decided to award both of them! Our Scholarship recipients are Elizabeth Ingraham AND Colette Kappauf!
This past (fiscal) year, our Unit made a $400 donation to Twin Tiers Honor Flight. Twin Tiers is part of the national Honor Flight Network. They transport veterans to Washington, D.C., in honor of their service, so that they can visit and reflect at their memorials at no cost to the veteran. We put the funds in the hands of our Legionnaires to decide on the lucky veteran recipient. We'll let you know more soon.
 Congratulations to Maddie Heier, the 2026 Empire Girls' State (EGS) delegate. EGS is a hands-on, week-long (June 30th – July 6th, 2026), educational workshop held at SUNY Brockport, focusing on Americanism and the political process. Soon we'll be holding interviews for the 2027 EGS delegate!
Blood Drives: November 14, 2026, 7:30 am - 12:30 pm. Blood drives in 2026 were 2nd Saturdays every other month. (2027 might not be.) Please people, they need you!!! You can check-in online. Visit: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ Please donate—there’s a serious blood shortage right now!!! (Sometimes they offer incentives like gift cards or t-shirts.) The Red Cross will perform free A1C testing on successful donations made in November (one result per calendar year). No fasting is needed.
Membership Dues: 2027 dues are available to pay (still $33).
You can still renew 2026 dues -by mail, or online (the easiest way), or at the Post 376 bar. (Visit the Contact/Join page for online details.) If you need it, the (2027 updated) membership application is there too. Junior dues are still $6.25. Adult (aka "Senior") The 2026 dues were $33.00. (A $3 increase from 2025. Junior dues are the same, $6.25.) If you're paying 2025 dues, it's still $30.00. NEW: If you're paying back dues, 2023 or prior, it's just $20!
FYI- We received the Dept. President's award, and yellow ribbon, for 100% membership for the 2024-25 year! We  couldn't have done it without you! We hope to do it again.
The “Complete Thanksgiving Dinner” basket raffle was drawn at the Sunday Breakfast, 11/16/25. Mary Jackson-Benjamin won a 15 Lb turkey, all the sides, including pie!
We also had -3- cash drawings totaling $50. Dan Stein won $10, Sue Barber won $15, and Debra Fuller Shimer won $25. Congratulations everyone! We are prepared to do it again! Get your raffle tickets at the Legion breakfast, Legion bar, or at Ye Olde Shanty! Draswing is Nov. 15th, 2026.
We had a successful first Unit 376 Holiday Craft Fair in '25 and now we're getting ready for the 2nd annual! The date is Nov. 28th, 2026 from 10 am - 2 pm. (For exhibit space, contact April Davis at 607-316-0823 ; Cheekymix2@hotmail.com.) This coincided with Small Business Saturday and our Post will be part of the circuit of Oxford locations. Aside from the crafts we offered lunch and baked goods. There was a basket raffle too.
Our Harvest Dinner was on 10/09/26 and what a great turn out! This important benefit is for books/literacy in the primary school. Everyone pitched in including the SAL and Legionnaires. Delicious pies made by Auxiliary members. Thank you to everyone who helped support this event!
Congratulations: Lora A. Rowe, of Sherburne ALA Unit 876, she's been elected 2026-27 Dept. of NY President! She's a Past President of the Sherburne American Legion Auxiliary, Chenango County, and the Sixth District. Because of her love for the American Legion, she has realized her dream of becoming the President of the Dept.
“Sing Praises to Veterans" is Lora's theme. It portrays deep admiration for our veterans because of their bravery and the sacrifices that they have endured for us. Please help Lora this year sing praises honoring those who have left the comfort of their homes to safeguard the liberty we take for granted and enjoy every day. They are true unsung heroes who deserve our deepest gratitude.
To coincide with Lora's theme, her project this year is Veterans Creative Arts. The Arts is a healing therapy which allows veterans to be heard and to express themselves. Creative Arts helps veterans who suffer from PTSD, MST, and many other inner wounds. It has saved many veterans lives which also coincides with the Legion Family drive for Be the One. Please help Lora this year bring that therapy and much needed healing to our veterans. The money raised will help provide veterans the materials, supplies and/or resources needed to participate in this great program. And all monies will remain in New York State and be divided amongst those VAs that participate in the Creative Arts program.
American Legion Post 376 officers are: Commander: Jessica Henninge, 1st Vice Commander: Robert Thompson, 2nd Vice: Peter Tiller, 3rd Vice: Frederick Baker, Adjutant: Jim Smith, Finance Officer & Membership: Ron Blanford, Chaplain: Steve Estelow, Historian: Jessica Henninge, Judge Advocate: Jim Smith, Sergeant-at-Arms: Wendell McGrath, Service Officer: David Tyson, and Homeland Security: Frederick Baker.
The ALA Fort Hill Unit 376 Centennial Celebration, on December 11, 2024 was terrific. We had a party to commemorate the charter of our unit 100 years ago! You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIb21tuPcPo Many thanks to Jim Smith!
We will have more photos, taken by Ron Charles, on our anniversary page soon.
Be sure to check out WBNG.com for the report by Autriya Maneshni, and see The Daily Star (front page) Saturday, 12/14/24. Historian and writer, Mark Simonson did an article about our Unit 376 and all we do! Pictures on Facebook on the pages (each) of Assemblyman Joe Angelino and of Senator Pete Oberacker!
Be sure to check out the commemorative neoprene can coolers being sold at the Legion bar.
Karaoke (in the bar) Hours—7 to 11 PM. 1st and 3rd Saturdays. The Legion bar is offering food now. Be sure to ask, “What’s the special?” Sundays -during football season- the bar will be open at 12:30.
We received the Department President's Award for Membership - a certificate of recognition at the ALA State Convention for our recruitment efforts to rejoin the most members. It was presented at the CCALA meeting by Marsha Cornelius, CCALA President, to Terrill Sutton, President and Jeanie Petersen, Membership Chair.
(Photo by Sophie Liberatore, Unit 876.)
 About our ALA President: Terrill Sutton, of our Fort Hill ALA Unit 376 (10-year ALA member), elected 2024-25 and 2025-26 Unit 376 President! President Sutton is eligible for membership under her mother, Emily Brashaw, a US Navy firefighter. Terrill is well-respected as our Poppy Chairman and has spear-headed our Poppy Poster Contest in Oxford Academy schools. It is our duty and honor to support Terrill and she has the full support of her American Legion Family behind her!
Last year, the 2025-26 Officers were President Sutton, Jan Pollard- First Vice President, April Davis- Second Vice President, Trudy Huggins - Secretary, Jeanie Petersen - Treasurer/Membership, Louise Spicer - Chaplain, Roberta Knoll- Historian, and Louise Spicer- Sergeant-At-Arms.
Our 2025 annual Harvest dinner was on October 10! Food was delicious! Thank you to all the ALA members who donated pies and to all the volunteers including the SAL and Legionnaires, our "Legion Family" who helped make it all possible!!! Mark your calendar, next year the Harvest dinner will be on Friday, October 09, 2026, 4-6 pm.
 Thank you to all who donated candy for Oxford Village Trick or Treaters. Last year Auxiliary members ("Mandarin" Trudy and "Leopardess" Anita) were on the front porch of the Post Halloween night, with goodies for the boys and ghouls! (photo credit: Terrill Sutton.)
Come to give blood and they may give you an e-gift card or other perks! Visit: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ Please donate—there’s a serious blood shortage right now!!!
Thanks to the EGS Committee and Congratulations students!!! Read more about the program at: EmpireGirlsState.org . There's a fun video about EGS here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIB-_HAWQrc&t=163s Soon there will be interviews for the 2026 season!
NY Department news:
Cmdr Keith's special projects are the: Dept. Temporary Financial Assistance program and “Be The One” suicide prevention. Pres. Kim’s project is “Homeward Bound Adirondacks”. HBA’s vision is “Through our unwavering commitment, innovative programs, and a supportive community, we aspire to create a society where no Veteran is left behind in their battle for mental health”. Read more: https://www.deptny.org/?page_id=122 Det. Cmdr Gaither’s project this year is “The Child Welfare Foundation”. 
Post 376 received an Award! On July 13, 2024, Mary Hardendorf, the Oxford Red Cross Drive Coordinator, presented Post 376 Commander Darlene Ardron with a special “Certificate of Recognition” and a special pin, for commitment and dedication for an outstanding 174 units collected in 2023! This was an annual growth of 53 units! Thanks to all the blood donors that made it happen!
The American Red Cross is at the Fort Hill Post 376 for blood drives on the 2nd Saturday every other month, six times a year. Correction, it's the 2nd Sat. IF it's 8 weeks from the last blood drive. Hours
from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.(Months are Jan., March, May, July, Sept., & Nov.) Sometimes they offer little perks (gift cards or t-shirts). They ordinarily take walk-ins, but making an appointment is a much better idea. You can even go online for the pre-screening questions to save time. Visit the website: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ FMI/to find a location near you. "Urgent: Blood Donors Needed!"
In the NEWS - WBNG - News 12 covered our 2024 Easter Bunny Breakfast! Report by Autriya Maneshni.
Attention Football Fans: the Legion bar is going to be open early on Sundays for football season –at 12:30!
The 2nd annual Halloween Costume Party was Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. Independent recording artist The Ben Rounds Band played a blend of country, rockabilly, and blues. Bedecked in a white lab coat and goggles, our own “Mad Scientist” Trudy Huggins was behind the bar concocting “Witches Brew” cocktails and a costume contest was held with three winning categories.
The contest winners were: Christine Long and Matt Dowling for “Most Original”, as a cool 60’s couple; Andrea Jones “Funniest”, as a demanding “Karen” complainer; and Rhonda Conant “Scariest”, as a Day of the Dead-witch. Congratulations to all the winners!
On Dec. 14, 2022, ALA Unit #376
held a meeting
that honored five special women who have been Unit 376 members
for 50 (or more)
consecutive years. Shirley Sykora (54 yrs), Judy Estelow (51 yrs),
MaryEllen Sherman
(51 yrs), Gloria Case (50 yrs), and Terrie Miller (50 yrs). Pictured are Louise Spicer, ALA president (center), proudly presenting 50- year ALA certificates to MaryEllen Sherman (L) and Terrie Miller (R). Congratulations All!
 Sunday Community Breakfast at the Legion, 7:30 – 11 a.m. (Yes, we have specials*.) We have been serving the All-You-Can-Eat Breakfasts for over 25 years. The pandemic is the only thing that shut it down - temporarily.
*Specials:
1st Sunday of each month: S.O.S. gravy.
2nd Sunday of each month: Western Omelets
3rd Sunday of each month: Sausage Gravy and Biscuits.
You can get: pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, home fries, French toast, OJ and tea/coffee/hot chocolate. Real maple syrup is available upon request. Breakfast cost is: Adults $9; Sr Citizens and Firemen $8; Children 6 to 12 years $7; Ages 2 to 5 years $2. Children under 2 yrs, volunteers, and reorders are FREE! ($10 for take-outs.)
 The Poppy Poster Contest is completed! Congratulations all!!! Special thanks to Terrill Sutton, Poppy Chairman, and art teachers Charity Gipp and Joni Eaton. The winning posters can be viewed for a month, in the Post 376 dining hall during the Sunday Community Breakfasts. Visit Poppy Poster 2022 page to see this past year's winners!
News: When at the Legion bar, be sure to ask what food they've got! They often have hot dogs, pizza, sometimes meatball heroes, chili, etc.
Saturdays - 1st and 3rd of the month, 7 - 11 p.m. - Legion Karaoke Nights in the bar.
The Legion Post 376 Bar is open. Mondays-Sundays 2:30 - close.
Shuffleboard and pool playing available. Current paid up membership cards are required for admission. Call if you have questions: (607) 843-8166.
2026-27 - All ALA Program reports are due Nov. 1 & April 1. (Only 2 reports now!) For future, you can get them online here at the NY Dept website.
The Chenango County ALA meetings - All MONDAY monthly meetings will be at different posts in our County. Dinner will be served. Business meeting begins at 7 p.m. All CCALA meetings are at 6:30 p.m. [usually] on the first Monday of each month [except not held in Jan, July, Aug. It's on *Tues in March due to the joint "Birthday" party meeting].)
26-27 County ALA officers are: President - Sophie Liberatore.; 1st. Vice President - Marsha Cornelius, Ed.D, 2nd Vice President - Angela Jones; Secretary - Teresa Clapper; Treasurer - Resi Fuller, Membership - Rudy Hoke.
Sgt at Arms: Lora Rowe; Chaplain & Field Svce/VA&R: Susie Boise; Historian: Jane Utegg; and Jr Activity: Angela Jones.
The ALA 6th District Field Service Representative to the Oxford Veterans' Home, Tami Zebrowski-Darrow has annual events. (2026-27) Volunteers are wanted (but, due to Covid, still, masking may be required). Donations are needed every year for the Christmas gift give-away.
Contact info Home phone - (607) 722-5994 ; Cell phone - (607) 759-6891
Some older news:
 Our Oxford Post 376 celebrated its 100th anniversary on March 16, 2019. We received 2 beautiful proclamations from US House of Representatives Anthony Brindisi and NYS Assemblyman Clifford Crouch! At left are Post 376 Legionnaires Ernie Spicer, Commander Darlene Ardron and Ron Blanford with the Assembly proclamation..
Did you know: there are 3 American Legion Posts in Chenango County that are "Centennial Posts" and they are Norwich Post 189, Oxford Post 376, and New Berlin Post 348. A beautiful commemorative coin featured a list of all 11 Posts with the Centennial ones listed at the top.
What's happening soon-- (please visit our calendar page too)
NEW: Our Unit 376 2020 Constitution and Bylaws as well as our Standing Rules have been updated and officially approved by Dept. Read them to learn the rules we follow. Both docs are PDF links at the top of the "Q and A" list on the FAQ page. This will have to be redone in 2023, for 2024, when the price increase goes into effect.
 The fifth Chenango County ALA meeting was a special day: Tuesday, March 12, 2019., held at Post #876, 15 S. Main Street, Sherburne, NY- it was the American Legion's 100th Birthday meeting!
There were historic pictures, a WW1 - Vietnam era uniform display from the Oxford Historical Society, and 20's era music to reflect on these first 100 years.
[At left is CC ALA President Joy Lawrence, CC Legion Treasurer: Patricia J. Cobb, and the late CC Legion Past Commander, Bill Olsen.]
Have you seen the Veterans' Memorial Walkway in Oxford, NY. The Walkway, with engraved memorial pavers, was officially dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. in LaFayette Park. It's quite beautiful! For more on this and order forms, visit http://www.villageofoxfordny.com/paver-stones.php
 May 9, 2018: officers honored special member - Marguerite Stiles - with a 66-year ALA member certificate and lunch out at Applebee's in Vestal to celebrate her 101st birthday! The news coverage was aplenty! The photo at right was a full screen image at the CNY News website! Even Sen. Akshar sent a birthday wish to Marguerite. We were also in the (National) Auxiliary magazine, Aug. 2018 issue. We had a lovely afternoon together. Sadly Marguerite passed away 12-22-2019.
Some of What We Have Done--
TELEVISION COVERAGE '14: Tuesday, November 11, 2014, was the Legion's Veterans Day ceremony. Ch. 12, WBNG's Kerry Longobucco came to film it, complete with interviews, too. http://www.wbng.com/…/Honoring-military-members-and-their-f…
TELEVISION COVERAGE '13: Monday, May 27th, 2013, was the Legion's Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. (Read more on the fundraising page under Events.) It was filmed by Channel 12 Action news. It's modest, but be sure to see it here! They have a few photos too.
 The ALA focuses on three major areas: Veterans, Young People, Americanism and the community. On the local level, the Oxford ALA has over 200 members, giving many volunteer hours to help the initiatives and programs of the Oxford Legion and the Oxford community.
Oxford Auxiliary members have achieved their own unique identity while working side-by-side with the Legionnaires and the Sons of the American Legion (SAL's), of Fort Hill Post #376. They have the honor of marching in the Memorial Day parade but they do a lot more!
The ALA is involved in youth activities such as the Oratorical Contest and Girls' State. Some members volunteer at the NYS Veterans' Home, nursing homes, food and clothing banks, and they organize fundraisers like Bake Sales and Soup Sales, Memorial Poppy sales, and the Cinco de Mayo fiesta dinner. They have even established an American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship. They're involved in other community projects such as promoting child literacy*; education; charities; and more. It is all accomplished with volunteers!
*Each fall Unit 376 sponsors a Harvest Dinner to raise money for the Finch Memorial Book and Education Fund which donates books to the Oxford Academy Primary School.
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