After winning 11 program awards at the 2026 New Jersey State Auxiliary Convention in Wildwood, it was on to Nationals in late July for Auxiliary 386 in Cape May. They won the Auxiliary Outreach Award for the Host a Coastie Program at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Auxiliary and the entire Cape May community hosted a total of 110 Coast Guard recruits at Post 386 as part of Operation Fireside. The holiday began with donuts and coffee, games, conversation, phone calls with family and friends and culminated with a catered dinner and traditional pies for dessert. A donation of $25 paid for all food and transportation for one recruit. Donations were received from local businesses, service organizations, members of the VFW and Auxiliary, American Legion, Veterans Home Association and people who live in or love Cape May. The Host a Coastie Program will be kicking off this fall for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026.
The Auxiliary also won an award for their Buddy Poppy Program. They partnered with Swain’s Ace Hardware in the Free Flag Giveaway over Memorial Day Weekend. The poppy cans were on display as the members distributed flags and homemade patriotic cookies to shoppers at the store.
Auxiliary President Sean Hagerty, Sr. said, “I am very proud of every man and woman in the Auxiliary who do so much to help veterans, active duty military, our community and students in our local schools”. Auxiliary 386 was named the Most Outstanding All-American Auxiliary in the state for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
