The 2012 budget occupied much of the discussion among members of the Maj. Megan McClung Marine Corps League Detachment 1210 during the group’s January meeting last Thursday at San Remo’s Mediterranean Grill in Oak Harbor.
“This is just a draft budget,” said Detachment 1210 Commandant Mike McClung to members. “We need to decide how much we’re going to be involved with and what we’re going to do.”
The group has funded annual scholarships of $500 for both Oak Harbor High School and South Whidbey High School in Langley, and plans to add another scholarship for Coupeville High School this year. Traditionally, the group’s rose sales have covered those costs, but as anyone with a checkbook knows, more expenses mean more necessary income.
In order to generate more income, the group is looking at how it can expand its current fundraisers. One idea is to offer barbecue salmon for sale at public events on both ends of the island. Members are currently researching the idea and will present their findings at a future meeting.
In other business, McClung went over the results of the 2011 Toys for Tots toy drive. He said the group did very well at its fundraising drive at the Clinton ferry dock in December.
“Having the young ladies from the FRC (Fleet Readiness Center) and the (Marine) Staff Sgt. there in his dress blues certainly helped,” McClung said.
In the end, 4,689 toys were distributed to 1,852 children on Whidbey Island. Six local agencies handled the distribution: Holiday House of South and Central Whidbey Island, Tree of Hope, Fostering Together, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and a children’s protective custody group.
McClung said normally the Toys for Tots coordinator handles the distribution each year, but that’s not the case on Whidbey Island.
“With so many agencies already involved here, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to duplicate the effort,” he said.
Toys donated to the program after last month’s collection deadline will be used for this year’s toy drive.
Other business included the announcement that the March meeting of the Marine Corps League will be held at a new location — the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor. The change gives members a chance to check out a new venue, but there’s another reason for trying the VFW.
“I think we’d rather do our meetings in a place that also honors veterans,” McClung said.
The next meeting of the Maj. Megan McClung Marine Corps League Detachment 1210 will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 at the Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club, 3334 E. Brooks Hill Rd, Langley.
More information on the Marine Corps League is available online a www.mcleague.com. Those interested in becoming part of the local detachment are invited to drop by a local meeting.
