By Alaina Denean Deshazo
The Selma Times-Journal

American Legion Post 20 is having its Brunswick stew sale this Thursday through Saturday to raise money for the post’s annual projects.

“The money that we raise from doing the Brunswick stew sale supports the operation of [American Legion] Post 20,” said John Coon, post adjunct.

“We have to raise our own funds to do the things that we do in the local community.”

The Legion sponsors several youth to go to Boys and Girls State every year and donate flags to schools and churches and organizations. They recognize the police, fireman and sheriff’s officer of the year, sponsor two youth girls softball teams for the Selma City Recreation Department and an American Legion boys baseball team in Marion and more.

The stew sale has been going on for more than 10 years, according to Coon, and he said they sell between 500 and 600 quarts every time.

“During one of stew productions, we probably have about 10 people actually preparing the meat and the vegetables and cutting and chopping and stirring and pouring and delivering and selling tickets,” Coon said. “It’s definitely a combined effort. Without a team effort, we would not get it done.”

Coon said the event gives the members a chance to catch up and tell stories while also preparing the stew.

“It is enjoyable. It gives the veterans and the members of our post an opportunity to get together, work together for a common cause,” Coon said. “They’ll sit around the stew pot stirring, telling war stories, so it’s a lot of fun.”

The stew sale begins Thursday and lasts until Saturday. The stew is $9 a quart or $32 for four quarts.

The Legion is located at 4210 U.S. Highway 80 West.

For more information or to order stew, call 372-8724 or 875-7121.