With declining membership in recent years, local leaders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 447 are trying to spread the word about their organization.

The local auxiliary post, which was formed in the 1940s, meets at 2 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the American Legion on North Broadway in Albert Lea.

It is for relatives of people who served overseas and in combat.

Marcia Petersen, membership chairwoman, stressed that both men and women are welcome to join. She said the local group has about 130 members, but active participation is much lower.

Leaders would especially like to reach out to the wives of newer veterans to join.

Petersen attributed reduced membership to rising ages of the members and because of what she described as the changing times.

Despite lower membership, the organization still is heavily involved in the community.

Petersen and auxiliary President Franne Camerer said the organization provides a presentation at area schools and offers a coloring contest and essay contest, as well as scholarships for students.

“It’s surprising the talents these kids have,” Petersen said.

The group’s members hand out flags and poppies and support the local Beyond the Yellow Ribbon chapter. They also donate to veterans homes and the veterans hospital.

“I encourage them to come and sit through a meeting and talk to everybody who’s there,” Camerer said. “Each one will give their own personal story.”

Petersen said she joined the auxiliary, and though her husband couldn’t attend VFW meetings because of his job, she always attended the auxiliary meeting.

She said the organization provides a good social connection.

Camerer said it also provides a cancer grant for its auxiliary members. Each member pays into a cancer fund, and if a member gets cancer he or she can receive a grant for $500.

Dues are $15 a year, plus an initial $18 initiation fee. When applying for membership, members must show relation to a veteran.

Camerer and Petersen said the organization would like to do more — there are many more national programs they could implement locally — but there need to be more active members to do this.