August 1, 2010

ATLANTA—Marge Johnson , Auxiliary Unit 13, Nampa, Idaho, was named the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Auxiliary Past National Commanders’ Outstanding Auxiliary Member of the Year Award for 2010 at the opening session of the 89th DAV and Auxiliary National Convention in Atlanta today. Past Auxiliary National Commander Donna Tanner accepted the award on behalf of Johnson, who is undergoing cancer treatment and was unable to attend the convention.

The award recognizes the dedication and contributions made by an outstanding Auxiliary member to enhance the goals of the organization and promote community service.

Johnson is eligible for Auxiliary membership through her late husband Bill Kirby, a disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Army.

Johnson joined the Auxiliary in 1982 and immediately became active. Soon after joining Unit 13, she was appointed Adjutant and Treasurer and served as both for 25 years. She has held a variety of elected and appointed positions in the Auxiliary. They most recently include Unit 13 State Roundtable Chairwoman, volunteer at the veterans home in Boise, Auxiliary VA Voluntary Services Representative at the VA medical center in Boise, chairwoman for bingo at the medical center, and Community Service Chairwoman for Unit 13.

One thing Johnson is noted for is her cookies. She has baked thousands and thousands through the years for all sorts of functions, and has gained a lot of appreciation for her cookies, especially the peanut butter cookies, among veterans at the veterans home.

“Helping veterans makes you feel good,” Marge said. “The hugs, smiles and appreciation just make you feel that much better.”

The quarter-million-member DAV Auxiliary is a nonprofit auxiliary organization of the 1.2 millionmember Disabled American Veterans founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, which represents this nation’s disabled veterans. The DAV and its Auxiliary are dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for America’s disabled veterans and their families. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site at www.dav.org.

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