This week is Legion Week across the province, and it’s fitting that Legion Week is the week heading into Canada Day, because here in Ladysmith, members of the Royal Canadian Legion will play a big part in the ceremonies celebrating our nation’s birthday.
These are the times you see the public side of what the Legion does in our community. It’s often quite moving to watch Legion members march in parades and stand at attention during ceremonies, but there are so many things they do that we don’t notice.
Legion members volunteer 600,000 hours across B.C. every year, and in B.C., the Legion contributes well over $6.9 million every year for a vast array of community health, social, athletic, youth and educational programs, serving all citizens, according to the BC/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.
In 2011, Branch 171 in Ladysmith contributed almost $28,000 in gaming donations to community organizations in Ladysmith and the surrounding areas.
Legion Week is officially proclaimed by the British Columbia and Yukon governments from June 24-30 to recognize and pay tribute to the charitable and volunteer work of the Legion, which touches the community in a variety of ways big and small. A big part of the week is opening the doors to the Legion.
Like so many community organizations, members are getting older, and they’re always looking for new members to inject new blood, new energy and new ideas. If you’ve ever considered joining the Legion (you don’t have to be a veteran), Legion Week is the perfect time to find out more about the organization.
Branch 171 in Ladysmith is hosting an open house and barbecue for the community this Saturday (June 30) from noon to 4 p.m. and it will be a great opportunity to meet some of our local Legion members and find out about everything they do in our community.
— The Chronicle