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YORKTON – The Army and Navy Airforce Veterans Ladies Auxiliary celebrated their 60th anniversary on Saturday, September 17. 

"We started in 1962 and this was our 60th year," said Deb Sereda, President of the Auxiliary.  

Sereda has been president of the auxiliary for a total of 20 year, a member of ANAVET for 42 and said the group was active in the community when it came to fundraising.

[We] would do pretty much anything we possibly could to help our unit out with all different functions and that kind of thing," said Sereda.

"We did a lot of donations—over the years we did over $400,000 of donations over the 60 years," said Sereda, adding, "selling raffles, we would do barbecues, all different types of things—we generated quite a bit of money, so we always made a point of donating it out to scholarships, the nursing home, the hospital."

Sereda said the organization is actively looking for new members.

"Our group is kind of dwindling down—we've only got 14 members—so it's kind of tough and they're getting up in age and that kind of thing," said Sereda.

Sereda said the 60 year anniversary is significant because it marked the 60th year of one of their original members. 

Helen Ziglo, who did not attend the gathering due to health issues, was presented her 60 year pin by President Sereda at Ziglo's home on the day following the celebration.

"I've got a few members who are getting up in age," said Sereda, adding, "I have a few people in their 70s and 80s, so you know it's kind of hard to get new members to join and to take over for the older members."

"What we need is some younger members in there, but it's hard to get younger members to join," said Sereda, noting that potential members do not have to be veterans.