The Ladies' Auxiliary VFW of Post 2008 in Laurinburg honored Helen Snell as Member of the Year last month at a meeting held at the Gill House restaurant in Laurinburg. Snell is treasurer of the auxiliary and chairman of "Veterans and Family Support", the largest program in the organization.

Snell's son, U.S. Army helicopter pilot Capt. Jason Sinn, was home on leave and able to attend the function. Sinn has served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Helen's schedule as chairman includes visits and the delivery of supplies and treats to every veteran in Scotland County's rest homes," Auxiliary President Gwyn Harris said. "She heads raffles and yard sales to raise money for overseas packages, and provides phone cards for troops and veterans. She acquires donations for both the USO and Fisher House at Ft. Bragg, a facility where the families of servicemen stay while their father or husband receives medical care. We are very proud of the valuable contributions Helen makes on behalf of our organization."

In addition to her work on VFW projects, Snell and her daughter Pam, an auxiliary member, pickup and deliver donated food for various food programs in the county. Snell is a volunteer at Church Community Services and at the Scotland Humane Society.

"Helen is devoted to the troops; she really takes charge," Harris said. "We really wanted to recognize her for all the hard work that she does."