American Legion Auxiliary Unit 594 of Eagan, Minn., has stayed active behind the scenes during the COVID-19 pandemic. They had to put their 'Purses with Purpose' project on hold until members can meet again. "It is impossible to sort and fill handbags for our homeless vets until we can get together in person," stated Susan Flynn, ALA Unit 594 president. "But we still want veterans to know they have not been forgotten." During a brainstorming session at the unit’s May Zoom meeting it was decided to send ‘thank-you’ cards to veterans in the Eagan area and the Hastings Veterans Home. To remain compliant with COVID guidelines, Susan put packets together with cards and poppies and left them on her front porch. Unit members staggered their visits to collect the writing supplies without contact. Their goal was to write a personal note to every veteran in the Hastings Veterans Home as well as veterans in the five senior living facilities in the Eagan area. “Our aim was to have the cards all delivered by July 4 to thank the veterans for their service in maintaining our country's independence,” Susan added, "This time of distancing has been hard on everyone but especially our veterans with little social contact outside their apartments or rooms." The project hopefully reminded these isolated veterans, who are often among the most high-risk for COVID-19, that they were still being thought of and appreciated. The unit delivered over 250 cards to all six facilities before July 4. The unit is a segment of the Daniel R, Olsen Post 594 Family, and a post member assisted on this initiative.