Terrill Sutton, ALA Unit 376 president, presenting Renae Ruff of the Oxford Academy Primary School with a $600 donation.  Representing the Finch legacy are Connie Finch McGowan (far left) and Sharon Finch Carpenter (far right) both daughters of Sally Finch. (Photo by Jeanie Petersen)

OXFORD - The Fort Hill American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit #376 held their annual benefit Harvest Dinner this past October to raise money for the Finch Book and Education Fund.

At the April 26, Post 376 Sunday Community Breakfast, president Terrill Sutton presented a donation check for $600, to Renae Ruff, on behalf of the Oxford Academy Primary School. The donation is for the purchase of books for the elementary students to promote literacy. 

 

Annually, proceeds from the ALA Unit 376's Harvest dinner are used for the Finch Book and Education Fund, named after Sarah "Sally" Finch, a once proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary.  Under Sally’s direction, to promote literacy in the community, the Oxford Auxiliary decided to start a book fund in the fall of 2000 with proceeds from their annual Harvest Dinner. After Sally passed away in December of 2003, the Auxiliary changed the name to honor her.  This memorial fund provides books for the Oxford Academy Primary School students. To date, Unit 376 has donated well over $7,000.  The Legion Auxiliary wishes to thank all of those who generously contributed to this good cause. 

  ALA Unit 376 is also involved in other community, and youth activities, such as Empire Girls' State; nursing homes; Christmas Community Baskets, food and clothing banks; education; charities; the paper Memorial Day poppies, and fund raisers for their Unit 376 Scholarship. 

  For membership inquiries, contact    Jeanie Petersen at (607) 843-2121 or email:  Events@OxfordNY.com. ALA  Unit 376 usually meets on the second Wednesday each month at 6:00 p.m., in the dining hall of the Fort Hill Legion. 

The historic Oxford American Legion,  Fort Hill Park, Post #376, is located at 17 S. Washington Avenue . For more info visit their website: http://oxford-ala.chenango.org/ or call the Legion Post at 607-843-8166.