American Legion Post 853 • Desert Breeze
OCTOBER 2024
FROM THE LEGION
A WARM welcome home to all who have returned early this season! To those who are making plans to visit Borrego Springs this season, remember that POST 853, IT’S THE PLACE TO STAY WHEN YOU’RE HERE TO PLAY! Especially with camping reservations available online at https://ca853.org The Post is a great launching point to explore the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and surrounding locations. Having guests stay here is an opportunity for us to meet and invite new members to our Legion family. Take some time to welcome our camp visitors.
Speaking of membership … when you renew, you are a member in good standing. Each year there are glitches with the membership card process. Please reach out to me if you have an issue with your Legion card, to Heide White for American Legion Auxiliary cards, or to Mark Dedes for the Sons of the American Legion cards. We are working at the local level to make the process less frustrating, especially if you renew online. As with last season, carry your membership card and show it to the bartender when you order a beverage. Everyone is required to do this. Help set the example. Show that you’re a member of this exclusive organization only for Veterans and their families. Early Bird renewal ends on 11/11/2024. Renew before this deadline for your free burger meal coupon.
On that note and as always, VOLUNTEERS - those with culinary skills or who are able to help with meals - ARE NEEDED. Dennis O’Leary (TAL), ChrisAnn Wells (ALA), and Chris Pedersen (SAL) are your key points of contact if you want to volunteer. Please know that you’ll need your San Diego County Food Handlers Certificate. Gary Saunders administers the test. Contact Gary for more information.
As we gather for beverages, food, and camaraderie you’re likely sensitized to the polarized political situation in our country. Please, leave politics at home. Our policy at Post 853 is as follows:
• No politics at or on Post facilities
• No endorsing political parties or individuals
• Television: no political shows including any political coverage
No one at Post 853 stands alone when supporting this policy
We’ve served or are related to those who have served for the many freedoms we enjoy including the right to vote, no matter your affiliation. Our focus for all that we do at Post 853 is for Veterans, our community, our youth, and each other. It’s why we’re here; it’s why we’re Legion family. To fortify our Legion family, I would like each of us to again take to heart the words from our District 22 Commander:
“In our mission to serve, it is equally important to remember the value of kindness and collaboration. Building each other up, rather than tearing each other down, strengthens our community and reflects the true spirit of The American Legion. By working together, we create a more powerful, unified front that can better serve our veterans and our country. Kindness is not just an ideal; it is a practice that fosters resilience and solidarity among us all.”
Yours in Service,
Dale Jones
Commander, Post 853
The American Legion, Department of California
FROM LEGION FINANCE
Welcome back to the Post! We’re thrilled to have you with us as we embark on this exciting journey of transformation. Over the past few months, our dedicated team has been tirelessly working behind the scenes to implement a variety of changes and enhancements. We understand that change can often be a double-edged sword—while it brings new possibilities, it can also challenge our comfort zones.
Our goal with these updates is to create a more intuitive and engaging environment that allows you to navigate the Post with greater ease and efficiency. We’ve taken your feedback to heart, listening closely to your suggestions and concerns, and we believe that the new features and improvements will help address many of the issues you've raised.
Wristband System
A wristband system is in place to differentiate between members and guests at larger events open to the public, focusing on ensuring those with wristbands have been vetted to order alcoholic beverages and for Members to receive a discount on their Wednesday Burger Night food order. A member perk! So be sure to sign in when you arrive at the Post. The sign in table can be found in the old dining room (street side of the Post).
Members wear star bands, and guests wear solid bands, with colors changing weekly. Note that the member signing in their guest(s), must remain on the Post premises until their guest(s) leave. If a person cannot provide the proper identification as to their Veteran status, they will not be issued a wristband. However they can order dinner, soda, water or Ice tea.
Implementing the Wristband System helped our Post achieve 100% in Membership 2023-2024. Each year we are encouraged to increase our membership and not only did the Legion achieve their projected goal, but the Sons of American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary reached 100% as well!
Many thanks to all for the generous donations, food & beverage purchases, RV park campers and the Bargain Barn purchases last season. Because of this, we were able to send donation checks to many deserving local Veteran and Community organizations. Here is a partial list of them that our Legion assisted or donated to:
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Little League • Boys & Girls Club
BSUSD High School Pancake Breakfasts
Football Team • Girls Volleyball • Soccer Teams
Girls Basketball • Boys Basketball
Elementary School • Middle School • High School Scholarships
Christmas Toys
Student of the Month/Elementary School
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Christmas Circle
Borrego Springs Senior & Youth Center
Roadrunner Golf Tournament for Senior Center
Basic Assistance to Students in the Community (BASIC)
Borrego Ministers Association
Borrego Village Association
VA & R
Veterans' Stand Down
VA Hospital Bingo
Warrior Expeditions
Veterans Home of Chula Vista
Thank you for being an essential part of our community. We truly value your engagement and loyalty as we work together to build a better Post. Your presence makes this platform vibrant and dynamic, and we can’t wait to hear how these changes impact your experience. Here’s to new beginnings and exciting possibilities ahead!
Heide White
Finance Officer
FROM OUR ALA PRESIDENT
Happy October ALA and Legion Family,
Welcome home to you wise travelers who escaped the gruesome summer. You will notice changes at the Post. Thank you for the tireless efforts of volunteers who made these changes. This work will continue during the coming season. Volunteers are always appreciated.
ALA general meeting is October 14 at 5:00. ALA eboard meeting is at 4:30. Potluck to follow, bring a dish to share.
We will be discussing the continuing need for volunteers.
If we don’t get people to step up we will not raise the necessary funds to donate to our programs.
October 9 is ALA burger night. 5-6:30 VOLUNTEERS are needed. No volunteers no burger night no donations for our programs!
SAL spaghetti dinner on October 18 from 5-7. $10.00 VOLUNTEERS needed.
Ladies we have an opportunity for a bake sale. We will have campers at the Post and people in town for Borrego Days. Would love to see bake sales every week.
I would like to personally challenge our ladies to volunteer at least 2 to 3 hours a month helping at the Post or Bargain Barn. There are jobs available to all ages and skill levels. Come to the meeting or talk to an officer for information.
Reminder to continue to show your membership card to bartenders. ALA received an award from District 22 for reaching our goal of over 100% paid membership. In part due to our requirement to show your current membership card. We are doing amazing work for our Veterans and the Community be proud to be part of our Legion Family and ALA sisters. Be respectful and kind to one another.
Yours in service to our Veterans and Community,
ChrisAnn Wells
ALA Unit 853 President
FROM ALA MEMBERSHIP
Happy to see our members returning to Borrego Springs!
It’s that time.
Renew your membership. To receive the Early Bird Hamburger Coupon, you must renew by 11/11/2024.
To renew your membership in the American Legion Auxiliary, you have a few options.
Pay by check — Make the check payable to ALA Unit 853 for $50.00. Please put your membership number in the Memo area.
If you want to mail your $50 check to the Post, the mailing address is:
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 853
PO Box 116
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Or Drop off a check at the Post. Turn it in to the Bartender and get a receipt for your payment. Cash is accepted as well. This will act as a temporary membership card until you receive your card from the Membership Chair.
Wednesday Burger Nights are starting October 2, 2024. I will be happy to accept your renewal checks or cash and give you your membership card on Burger Nights in October. You’ll find me in the old dining room.
Pay online — Members can go to Renew (legion-aux.org) to renew their dues or call National Headquarters at (317) 569-4570 with your member ID ready and your credit card. You can pay with a VISA or MasterCard credit/debit card online. After your online payment has cleared, you’ll be able to print your current membership card directly from your My Auxiliary profile. A receipt will be emailed to you. National Headquarters will also send your membership card to you via USPS mail, so please make sure your current address appears in your online profile.
Have a wonderful day!
Heide White
Membership / Treasurer
BAR & RV OPERATIONS
Bar Operations
Welcome back, everyone! As you enjoy your beverage, you’ll notice some changes. First of all are the hours of operation: Monday – Friday 3 PM – 7 PM (or later as needed), Saturday and Sunday “Funday” 11 AM – 5 PM (or later as needed). Of course, be on the lookout for the various dinners and breakfasts that will be happening throughout the season with support from our awesome volunteer bartender staff.
Secondly, I would like to point out our new Point of Sale system. With this new system, we are now able to accept card payments ($5 minimum purchase). Please be patient with our volunteer bartenders as they navigate their way through the learning curve of our new system.
Tuesday the 1st starts Bingo, and Wednesday the 2nd will be our first Burger Night of the season. I will have the Buddy Bar open on Burger Nights starting at 4 PM. The 18th will be a Spaghetti Dinner, and the 19th is the Borrego Days Parade. At the Post, we will be having a furniture sale on the 19th and 20th. On the 26th, the Post will be hosting a Community Cleanup from 8 AM – 12 PM. Come early because services are available until capacity is reached. We are working in cooperation with EDCO Disposal and San Diego County.
RV Operations
Members, veterans and their guests can reserve online at ca853.org and click on “Camping at the Post.” If you are unable to reserve, it’s due to a booking conflict. You can reach out to the Camp Host at 442-340-8869 for assistance. All the full hookup sites are booked from 12/31 to 1/06. Our season runs from October 1 through May 31. We are currently at 10.5% occupancy with 90 separate reservations for the season. As of this writing, I am waiting to hear from my prospective new Camp Host; until then, I’ll keep the Camp Host phone a little longer.
Facilities
The old patio deck rehabilitation is well underway and should be complete on or before October 1st. Just in case it isn’t, please use caution when on the deck and do not cross through the caution tape barriers. I want to welcome back Dawn Thurman to the Post. Dawn did an awesome job keeping our Post clean and inviting, and I look forward to working with her again this season. I also want to thank Sandra Carson for all her efforts in maintaining the cleanliness of our Post during the off-season
I also want to give a “shout out” to our Commander Dale Jones, our ALA President ChrisAnn Wells, and Jimmy Zuehl for their excellent reupholstering skills in tackling our patio chairs.
To ensure that your experience here at the Post is inviting and pleasurable, please let me or one of the officers know of any items that need to be addressed. These items can range from the cleanliness of the Post, a door that needs attention, or even furniture that needs repair. House Committee Meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday of the month and are open to all members. If you see something, say something so it can be addressed.
Jim Keith
Bar/RV Manager
American Legion Post 853
4515 Borrego Springs Rd.
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
(972) 330-9076
FROM THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
The House Committee Meeting the 2nd Sunday of every month at 1pm and is open to all members.
Editor in Chief, House Committee
BARGAIN BARN
Bargain Barn opens October 4th!
Hours:
Friday and Saturday: 9am to 2pm for shopping
Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to noon for donations only
BINGO $10.00!
Post 853 Bingo Returns!
Bingo resumes on Tuesday evenings: October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Halloween costumes are optional on October 29! Winners from the people’s choice will receive a prize.
Doors open and bingo packets may be purchased beginning at 5 pm. The games start promptly at 5:30 pm in the new dining room and on the outside deck.
Progressive Jackpot new for this season: The last game of the evening has a jackpot of $150. This season, the jackpot will increase $5/week to a maximum of $250 until someone wins! Once there is a winner, the jackpot will reset back to $150 and will progressively increase by $5/week! We are looking forward to this exciting change.
We always request that you bring a snack to share. If you cannot, please consider leaving a donation. We also welcome new or gently used gifts for door prizes.
Thank you for supporting this fundraising program of The American Legion Post 853. Your support of Bingo last year allowed the Post to donate to BASIC (https://www.borregobasic.org/donateget-involved.htm), the Borrego Minister’s Association (https://borregoministersassociation.org/donate-to-bma/), and the Borrego Senior Center (https://www.borregospringsseniorcenter.org/give-to-the-senior-center) in support of our local veterans, our community, and youth.
If you are interested in volunteering for Bingo, please contact Gina Moran at 209-327-1803 or email maxchibby1987@gmail.com.