VFW Post 358 To Host ‘Salute To Literacy’

BALLSTON SPA — Members of VFW Post No. 358 and its Auxiliaries will join forces from 1-6 p.m. on Sunday, February 23 to co-host a “Salute to Literacy” fundraiser. All proceeds from the spaghetti dinner and Silent Auction at 63 East North Street will be donated to the Maurice “Christopher” Morley Literacy Fund, which is administered by the Ballston Spa Central School District. Named in honor of a World War II veteran who carved a lifetime of legacy of caring and sharing as the village’s resident history consultant, old-fashioned wooden toy-maker and school crossing guard, the Morley Literacy Fund provides annual awards for elementary students who have demonstrated exceptional fortitude and perseverance on the Road to Reading. VFW Post 358 Commander Earl “Doc” Manning and his wife Pamela, a longtime Ladies’ Auxiliary member, said at the time of Morley’s passing at age 89 in 2011 that he had the distinction of being the post’s oldest active member, rarely missing a membership meeting or a patriotic ceremony or parade. After battling bullies who teased him about his dyslexia in the 1920s and 1930s, Morley dropped out of Ballston Spa High School to serve with the U.S. Marines, earning more than a dozen stars and medals for his courage and loyalty to the nation. It wasn’t until decades later that Morley donned a cap and gown to receive a special Operation Recognition diploma from BSHS. Much knowledge was acquired during Morley’s adult years through library books and lectures, while lessons were taught by him in the form of oral histories and heritage demonstrations he presented at Brookside Museum, the Saratoga County Fair and other settings. Morley assisted with the research of several regional history books by a diverse group of authors. He also contributed a monthly history column to Ballston Spa Life. The literacy award that bears his name was established with the aid of the Rotary Club of Ballston Spa in 2008—a year after the organization dedicated to “Service Above Self” honored him as its Citizen of the Year. Morley also made headlines in 2007 as Grand Marshall of the Village of Ballston Spa’s Bicentennial Parade. A donation of $10 per spaghetti dinner will be accepted at the door of VFW Post 358 on February 23. Those wishing to donate gift baskets, gift certificates or other Silent Auction items in advance of the event, which will also include a 50-50 raffle, are asked to contact Pamela Manning at (518) 885-5949, Karen Shea at (518) 487-9327 or Terri Bryant at (518) 885-6418.