Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Legion needs our help

Many things have changed in our lives since the coronavirus outbreak; changes like social distancing and working from home. It has gotten to the point that the dog is no longer the only one who gets excited about seeing the postman at the mailbox.
BrittAM
Citizen file photo BrittAM performs at the Prince George Legion in May 2019.

Many things have changed in our lives since the coronavirus outbreak; changes like social distancing and working from home. It has gotten to the point that the dog is no longer the only one who gets excited about seeing the postman at the mailbox.

For most businesses, the changes due to the virus are life changing for more than just the bottom line for that business.

This brings to mind the following email that I received from a personal friend of mine in regards to the future of our local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43.  

"My name is Sanna Denicola and I am the daughter of a WWII veteran and an active Legion member and volunteer. Since I am not an official spokesperson for our local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 and have no authority to actually speak on behalf of the Legion, I would like to note that I pen my thoughts only as a concerned volunteer of this very worthy organization.

“I am writing to request the assistance of our community with keeping our local Legion open.

“Due to the coronavirus we, like many other organizations and businesses, are in serious financial difficulty. Unlike many other entities, we have fallen into one of the cracks in terms of not being eligible for any government assistance during this pandemic other than the rent assistance that both individuals and businesses could apply for.

“We have been trying as many things as we can in order to raise money; from a Go Fund Me page to individual members hosting home-based business parties with any money earned being donated to the support of the Legion.  For all these efforts, we are extremely grateful, unfortunately it has not been enough.

“We have had to take drastic measures to try to limit our expenses in every way we can which includes having to lay off all of our paid staff with the exception of our cook, Larry. A very dedicated, albeit, small group of volunteers, of which I am a part, have been working hundreds of hours trying to fill all the positions but we seem to be just treading water at the moment and the small group is tiring.

“Please consider donating to help with our operating costs, either through the Go Fund Me page or directly at the Legion or by volunteering.

“Some volunteer opportunities are: shoppers, meal runners, dishwashing, selling meat draw tickets, door greeters and seaters, bartenders (would require Serving It Right certification) and table and chair sanitizing between when patrons leave and others come in.

"If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Legion at 250-562-1292.  Our hours of operation are listed on our Facebook page along with the weekly specials from the kitchen.

“One other huge way to help would be to come down and spend time with us. Gather a group of friends together and come and check out the weekly specials that Chef Larry is creating - you won't be disappointed.  Or just pop in for lunch and enjoy a relaxing adult beverage topped off with an assortment of appetizers.  We are open to book a dinner or a business meeting - we would be pleased to accommodate you on any of the non-open days of the week. It would help us if you could spread the word that we need help to as many people as you possibly can.

“The Royal Canadian Legion, a non-profit Canadian service organization has been in existence since 1925 with the purpose of helping our veterans and community - now we need our community to help us.

“The Legion is a very worthwhile organization and, even though my father Armand Denicola passed away a little more than a year ago, I know my dad would be very sad to see the shape that the Legion it is in right now due to this pandemic.

“Thank you - in advance - for any and all efforts you can make on our behalf.”

Sincerely, Sanna Denicola

***

August birthdays that I know about:  Rita Svatos, Diana Myers, Marilyn Goetjen, Carol Stewart, Helen Dery, Judy Dix, Supi Peter, Jeannette Goossens, Don Grantham, Joyce Unrau, Gord Babcock, Lorraine Knight, Heather Couch, Gary Drake, Betty Townsend, Marlies Greulich, Margaret Johnston, Elaine Lamb, Malcolm Lamb, Barb Claffey, Shafeed Rahman, Alan Idiens, Joy Warner, Sharon Stene, Joy McKeller, Lyn Thibault, Ray Demily, Walt Wessner, Betty Wessner, Eileen Hughes, Victor Lavallee, Shirley McDermid, Lorea Reimer, Fred Buchi, Eva Buchi, Howard Germain, Leona Gervais, Rosemarie Maack, John Pavich, Elaine Reid, Esther Monroe, Doris Da’Silva, Edna Rouleau, Muriel Lank, John Kuharchuk, Donald Jones, Bob Horning, Wolfgang Jechow, Phyllis Anderson, Sandra Simola, James Loughery, Edward Normand, Harold Iverson, Charlene Vankoughne, Connie Gibson, John Walsh and Sonny Swanson.