In observance of April as Children and Youth Month, members of the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary Unit 39, Madison, filled backpacks for children who will enter the Department of Health and Human Services System.

Most children enter with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. The auxiliary provides them with the backpacks filled with items they can call their own in hopes that it makes the transition a little easier for them, according to a news release from the auxiliary.

This year, the auxiliary donated 25 backpacks for this program. The members Robin Turek, Pat Santoni, Tina Boudreau, Wanda Kranz, Harriet Bryant, Sharon Ziacoma, Irma Fluet, Nancy Misiaszek, Betty Dow, Ann Cody and Maxine Dube.

For more information, visit ALAforveterans.org or mainelegionpost39.org or contact Robin Turek, president, American Legion Auxiliary Tardiff-Belanger Unit 39, at P.O. Box 325, Madison, ME 04950, robinturek@gmail.com or 696-8289.