EPHRATA – The American Legion Post 28 and Auxiliary will host a fundraiser to support students who will be participating in Boys State and Girls State, according to the post’s Jane Montaney.  

The festivities start at about 4:30 p.m. with attendees given a chance to mingle and look over silent auction items, Montaney said. Dinner will begin around 5 p.m. and will consist of a traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage main course in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day – which is right around the corner Monday, March 17, – and an option to have ham instead, for those without a taste for Irish food. In keeping with the theme, the event will also feature a Blarney Stone, or at least as close as one can get without booking an international flight. There is a $20 cost for the meal which will also include cake. Children 7-12 years old cost $10 and younger children eat free. 

A live auction will begin at 7 p.m.

The special guest for the event is Trish Ward, American Legion Auxiliary president for 2024-2025, Montaney said. Ward should arrive around 6 p.m. after a flight delay caused a scheduling adjustment but will be on hand to speak with guests.  

Montaney said members of the public are welcome to come to dinner and participate in the silent auction.  

The goal of the event is to ensure the post and auxiliary can support young people in learning good citizenship and civics. Supporting programs like Boys State and Girls State helps to achieve that goal. Participants in the programs get the opportunity to attend a trip that creates a simulated democracy government that youth can participate in and learn from, Montaney said. They then work on a variety of projects to get mock bills passed and often have an opportunity to meet various legislators to learn about the work they’re doing to serve their constituents.  

“When they get there, they check in and they’re assigned to a city, and then that city is in a county, so they’re learning all of those government things, all the way up to the state legislature,” Montaney said.  

For more information, contact the Ephrata post at 509-754-2761. The post is located at 276 8th Ave. NW in Ephrata, near DK’s Drive In.