By Betsy Scheinbart
Arlene Eysaman, president of the New York State Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, toured the St. Albans Primary and Extended Care Center Monday and presented a charitable donation to the facility.
Eysaman, who lives in Freedom, N.Y., joined the Ladies Auxiliary in 1986 on the eligibility of her husband, Doug, a Vietnam War veteran.
The Ladies Auxiliary, a national organization, was founded in 1914 to help veterans and their families. It is the backbone of the Veterans of Foreign Wars volunteer efforts, which promotes patriotism and helps veterans in need.
Eysaman visited the Department of Veterans Affairs Primary and Extended Care Center, which is part of the New York Harbor Healthcare System and formerly know as the St. Albans Veterans’ Hospital.
The Ladies Auxiliary has volunteer programs in state and community hospitals like the St. Albans facility.
Eysaman met up with members of the local Ladies Auxiliary, including Mary Boyd-Foy, president of the Queens County Council of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Eysaman presented a check to Jeffrey Benka, assistant chief of voluntary service at the health care center.
