The branch sent fifteen shoeboxes to Operation Christmas
Child.  Three of which were contributed by our family Branch members in
Benicia, California.  A prayer was said with our family at the drop off site
in California that the shoeboxes should safely reach their destination to
whatever part of the world they would be delivered to.

Members of our Branch 501 contributed in various ways for the 12 shoeboxes.
Our Pastor and Branch Member Very Rev. Basil Rakaczky was kind enough to
make a donation that covered the cost of mailing for the fifteen shoeboxes.
Handcrafted items I very much enjoyed making for this project.  Included
were crocheted pony tail holders and from the computer I made bookmarks,
prayer cards, religious stickers and greeting cards.

The Warm Up America Afghan that I crocheted for Ronald MacDonald House was
taken to Michael's Arts and Crafts Store in December.  In addition I have
about 72 more rectangles which I would like to sew together into another
afghan.

Another project that Warm Up America sponsors is Caps for the Capitol which
is knitted or crocheted hats for low birth weight or preemie babies.  This
project usually ends in January and is shown on the Warm Up America Website.
Since I received so much donated yarn to help with Warm Up America, some of
it was Sport Yarn and this is what is used to make the hats.  The pattern is
very simple.  I have about forty made in pretty baby colors and will
continue working on this until next January.

If anyone would like the pattern instructions I would be happy to send it to
them.


BAND OF AMERICA  HONOR BAND

Branch 501 member Richard M. Paull had the very distinct honor to be chosen
along with about 300 very talented  High School Students from across the
United States to march in the Rose Bowl Parade on January 1, 2009 in
Pasadena, California. He considered this to be a life changing experience
for him.

As part of the week long activities he and the other Band Members performed
at Disneyland, participated in Band Competitions and also helped decorate
one of the floats in the Parade that won the President's Trophy.

Richard is a Junior at J. P. Stevens High School in Edison, N. J.  He is a
member of the Jazz Band, Symphonic Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble and the
Region Band.  He will also be marching with the Hawthorne Caballeros Senior
Drum and Bugle Corps. during the summer.


Mrs. Margaret Paull, Branch Manager, 501,502 and 250