Members of Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary Unit 39, Madison, recently collected and donated backpacks filled with many essential items to the Department of Health and Human Services. The backpacks benefit the children who enter the DHHS system. From left are Tammy Giguere, Karen Lytle, Tina Boudreau, Harriet Bryant, Merrilyn Vieira, Vicki Anderson and Irma Fluet. Submitted photo

In observance of April as Children and Youth Month, members of the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary Unit 39, Madison, donated backpacks and many essential items such as clothes, pajamas, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, jackets, socks, hygiene products for older children and toys.

These items benefit the children who will enter the Department of Health and Human Services System.

Most children enter with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, according to a news release from the auxiliary.

These backpacks provide them with items they can call their own in hopes that it makes the transition a little easier for them.

This year with generous donations of items from the local community and membership as well as auxiliary purchases, the auxiliary donated more than $1,300 worth of items.

To learn more about the American Legion Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate, visit alaforveterans.org.

To join the Madison American Legion Auxiliary Unit, contact Karen Lytle, president, at American Legion Auxiliary, P.O. Box 325, Madison, ME 04950, karen.lytle364@gmail.com or 207-696-4445.