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American Legion Auxiliary 28 helps at-risk vets

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 members stand with the 160 bags packed with items for donation to at-risk veterans at the Wilmington VA Medical Center. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
January 23, 2026

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 in Millsboro gave back to the community Jan. 19 during their annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

As a meaningful way to honor King, Auxiliary Unit 28 members and other volunteers filled bags with new, unopened items such as long-sleeve T-shirts, sweatpants, laundry pods, men’s and women's white socks, full-size bottles of shampoo and liquid soap, and much more to be delivered to at-risk veterans at the Wilmington VA Medical Center.

“What an incredible Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service,” said Beth McGinn, Auxiliary Unit 28 vice president. “Over 50 volunteers packed 160 bags, plus boxes of shirts, pants and shoes to support our veterans. I want to thank everyone who showed up and gave their time.”

 

 

Volunteers from Tanger Outlets brought bags of socks and helped stock the American Legion bags. Shown are (l-r) Michele Doucette, marketing director; Joey Venezia; Jennifer Kayes; Madison North; Anthony Anselmo; and Tanger General Manager Amy Schnerr.
Getting together for a picture are (l-r) Tina Washington, Auxiliary Unit 28 PR chair; Pam Ray, American Legion Auxiliary national president; Beth McGinn, Auxiliary Unit 28 vice president; and June Jones, Auxiliary Unit 28 president.
Saluting the flag are Rick Wheatley, Sons of the American Legion Delaware Detachment commander, and Tina Washington, Unit 28 PR chair.
Organizing socks are Auxiliary members (l-r) Judy Tarr, Connie Christopher and Priscilla Horne.
Rick Wheatley, Sons of the American Legion Delaware Detachment commander, helps stock the bags.
Saluting the flag are Rep. Jeff Hilvosky R-Long Neck, left, and Otas Cephas Jr., Sons of the American Legion Delaware Detachment vice commander.
Auxiliary Unit 28 member Roberta Halle Bass, 2025 Unit Member of the Year, left, presents donations to Auxiliary Unit 28 Vice President Beth McGinn.
Tina Washington, Unit 28 PR chair, left, and Unit 28 Auxiliary President June Jones prepare lunch for the volunteers at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Personal hygiene items were put in bags for the veterans.
Auxiliary members Kathy Kendzietski, left, and Colleen Vittorino team up to stock the bags.
Auxiliary Vice President Beth McGinn unpacks shoes donated to the group.
Michele Doucette, Tanger Outlets marketing director, stacks up donated socks to be put into bags for at-risk veterans.
Beth McGinn, Auxiliary Unit 28 vice president, thanks volunteers for their help filling the bags.
Unit 28 Auxiliary President June Jones, right, shares a light moment with 2025 Unit Member of the Year Roberta Halle Bass. In the background is Auxiliary Unit 28 Vice President Beth McGinn.
American Legion Auxiliary National President Pam Ray, speaks with the volunteers alongside Unit 28 Auxiliary President June Jones.
American Legion Post 28 Commander Joe Brown thanks Auxiliary President June Jones for a great event.
Post 28 members prepare bags for donation to at-risk veterans.
Volunteers stock the bags for the at risk vets. Shown are Maizie Windows, auxiliary Dept 2nd Vice president and Laura Smith Legion Auxilay, Dept of DE President.
Audrey Schaeffer of the Women of Sussex County group fills a bag for the at-risk vets.
Hack Jones, a veteran and member of the AL Post 28 honor guard, stacks up bags as they are filled.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service volunteers stand with the 160 bags filled for donation to at-risk veterans.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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