how to help get federal support for canadian legion branches

September,    2020

Mr. Kyle Seeback, MP

House of Commons, 

Room 209, Justice Building,

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

RE: FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCHES

Many Legion Branches have been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, yet federal relief programs released to date cannot help most of them pay their operational bills.  There is a federal loan option, however not all Branches qualify and some cannot take the risk.  If we do not help suffering Legion Branches weather this situation, it could mean the end of their critical work to support Veterans and communities.  I do not want this to happen.  I hope you feel the same way.

I ask you to help ensure federal leaders fulfill their promise to provide an aid program that will include Legion Branches and help them with OPERATIONAL COSTS.  Our Dominion President, Thomas D, Irvine,CD, has explained the situation to the federal government more than once;  in June, the Prime Minister stated that they were "...working with the Minister of Veterans Affairs and other officials to try and ensure that we're supporting these organizations that are so important, not just for Veterans but for their communities as well".  Veterans Affairs Canada told us that an aid package is in the works - but many weeks later, the Legion is still waiting to hear back.

Soon after this pandemic began, Provincial Commands and Branches accessed temporary temporary relief through the Legion's national reserve funds, but those funds are running out.  Some Legion Branches started GoFundMe initiatives and other temporary and unsustainable measure to raise funds.  Understandable restrictions on Branch re-openings means fewer dollars raised from events, hall rentals and food service.  Many Branches, unfortunately, have simply had to remain closed.

Despite extreme challenges, our members continue to do amazing work, such as preparing and delivering meals to Veterans and seniors, reaching out to homeless and near homeless Veterans and their families to provide immediate financial assistance and support, helping Veterans apply for benefits and organizing remembrance-related events.  If a community loses a Branch, it loses all of this.

Contributions donated yearly during the Legion's National Poppy Campaign are not a source of operational revenue and must only be used to help support Veterans, their families, and communities.  Our Legion Branches need help now.  The situation is already dire for some branches that are on the brink of failure.  A branch in Ontario, open since 1927, recently closed its doors indefinitely, unable to make ends meet.  How many more will follow?

I ask you to please be a voice in Government to help expedite a federal aid package that will work for our Branches, one that allows them to survive this pandemic and continue to help our Veterans and communities.

Sincerely,

A concerned Legion Member and constituent.

Comrades, I can’t express enough how great our community has been coming forward to give such financial support. Our GoFundMe fundraiser, private donations and local media have been instrumental in helping us through these unprecedented times. Many other suggestions for fundraising have been put forward by our membership; these ideas would help a lot, but under current health restrictions, reduced capacity and added costs, most would not work in the current pandemic climate. The road ahead is hard to determine, but your Executive and Ladies Auxiliary are looking at all options. Our roofer has informed me he is almost done  with just a couple items left. The fire repairs are the final item; our new fire exit door was installed this week and just requires a bit of paint and some sealing. 

Our Branch has been open three weeks and performance is very low. Our daily receipts are in the negative. Unfortunately, our income doesn’t cover our labor and increased utility expenses. Many Legions are operating at reduced hours and days. Some Legions have not even opened due to current health restrictions and reduced capacity. Tough decisions will have to be made in the best interest of our Branch. 

    RE: RESILIENT COMMUNITIES FUND ANNOUNCED BY OUR PROVINCIAL GOV.

         -STATEMENT FROM PROVINCIAL COMMAND PRESIDENT- “QUOTE”

"While we appreciate the support expressed by our provincial government, right now we’re not sure if what’s being offered will get us through this most challenging time when operational costs continue to accumulate. We are still researching the program details however we feel that the Resilient Communities Fund is not designed to help Legion Branches with urgently required financial assistance.  Our Branches need help to cover rent, mortgage payments, hydro and other costs until such time as they can fully re-open and continue the valuable support they provide to their communities. We fear that without assistance from all levels of government some Branches will close forever and this will be a great loss to communities .” 

           Garry Pond, President

           The Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Provincial Command

YOURS IN COMRADESHIP

Barry Kimber, President, Branch #233 Orangeville

FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR SOLICITOR GENERAL MPP SYLVIA JONES DUFFERIN/CALEDON FOR ATTENDING OUR CANADA DAY PARADE. THANK YOU TO THE 10 MEMBERS OF OUR COLOUR PARTY FOR PARTICIPATING. SOCIAL DISTANCING AND CURRENT HEALTH DIRECTIVES WERE OBSERVED.

OUR LEGION IS STILL HERE DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, WE CONTINUE TO HELP OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

WE ARE CONTINUING HELP FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH OUR BURSARY PROGRAM WHICH WILL ASSIST THEM IN POST SECONDARY EDUCATION. THE DEADLINE IS JULY 17TH 2020 FOR SUBMISSION.

I HAD THE PLEASURE TO PARTICIPATE IN TWO VIRTUAL ACR’S WITH THE 1849 LORNE SCOTS ARMY CADETS & THE 85 TORNADO SQUADRON AIR CADETS.  I PRESENTED ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION CADET MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE TO: MWO GRIFFIN SCULLINO 1849 LORNE SCOTS AND WO2 SULEIMAN SUFYAN 85 TORNADO SQUADRON. CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH RECIPIENTS.  

COMRADES, OUR BRANCH HAS HAD SOME STRONG CHALLENGES IN RECENT MONTHS AND RECENT DAYS. WE AS LEGION MEMBERS, ARE THE KEEPERS OF REMEMBRANCE. WE WILL PROTECT OUR MONUMENTS, OUR CENOTAPHS, OUR PARKS. IT’S OUR DUTY TO OUR FALLEN, VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR HISTORY.

LEGIONS ACROSS CANADA ARE IN TROUBLE, I ENCOURAGE OUR ELECTED OFFICIAL’S TO FIND WAYS TO HELP. THE LOSS OF LEGIONS IN COMMUNITIES WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO OUR VETERANS, OUR SENIORS, OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE STILL OWE A LARGE SUM OF MONEY TO BRYANS ROOFING. WE HAVE PAID $16,000.00 IN THE LAST YEAR. WE STILL OWE $10,533.00.  OUR EXECUTIVE CONTINUES TO FIND WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR OUR BRANCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED DEDICATION.

YOURS IN COMRADESHIP

BARRY KIMBER, PRESIDENT BRANCH #233

COMRADES:  HAPPY CANADA DAY!

FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR SOLICITOR GENERAL MPP SYLVIA JONES DUFFERIN/CALEDON FOR ATTENDING.

OUR LEGION IS STILL HERE DURING THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, WE CONTINUE TO HELP OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

WE ARE CONTINUING HELP FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH OUR BURSARY PROGRAM WHICH ASSISTS THEM IN POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.

I HAD RECENTLY PARTICIPATED IN MY FIRST VIRTUAL ACR WITH 1849 LORNE SCOTS ARMY CADETS. I HAD THE PLEASURE TO PRESENT ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION CADET MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE TO MWO GRIFFIN SCULLINO. CONGRATULATIONS!

COMRADES, OUR BRANCH HAS HAD SOME STRONG CHALLENGES IN RECENT MONTHS AND RECENT DAYS. WE AS LEGION MEMBERS, ARE THE KEEPERS OF REMEMBRANCE. WE WILL PROTECT OUR MONUMENTS, OUR CENOTAPHS, OUR PARKS. IT'S OUR DUTY TO OUR FALLEN, VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR HISTORY.

LEGIONS ACROSS CANADA ARE IN TROUBLE; I ENCOURAGE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO FIND WAYS TO HELP. THE LOSS OF LEGIONS IN COMMUNITIES WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO OUR VETERANS, OUR SENIORS, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27 March 2020

Legion Branches, Ontario Command Continue to Support Veterans

The Royal Canadian Legion, Branches and Ladies’ Auxiliaries in Ontario Command continue to support our Veterans and their families through these trying times.

We understand that during this time of crisis there are needs and financial distress and we remind Veterans and their families that the Royal Canadian Legion is only an email away to assist. Our Provincial and Branch Service Officers will help in completing any applications for assistance free of charge.

Although our Branches and offices are closed to the public, we remain committed to provide the necessities for our Veterans. If any Veteran requires assistance they can contact their local Branch or contact direct to Ontario Command email rclontariocommand@on.legion.ca  and if you provide your full contact information, someone will get back to you as soon as possible. We have Provincial staff, including Provincial Service Officers, working from home who are in contact with Veterans Affairs Canada on a daily basis.

Our Mission: TO SERVE VETERANS, WHICH INCLUDES SERVING MILITARY AND RCMP MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO PROMOTE REMEMBRANCE AND TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR COUNTRY.

For further information please contact email: rclontariocommand@on.legion.ca, or as listed below for individual staff:

Veterans Hot Line – 437-228-4747

Homeless Veterans Program – jkemp@on.legion.ca and/or psweeny@on.legion.ca

Service Bureau (Aurora) – mrohmann@on.legion.ca  and/or adina@on.legion.ca  
Service Bureau (North Bay) – sculling@on.legion.ca  and/or rabud@on.legion.ca  
Service Bureau (Kanata) – proyle@on.legion.ca  and/or shannon@on.legion.ca  
Service Bureau (London) – rhyndman@on.legion.ca  and/or dsnyders@on.legion.ca


89 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora Ont. L4G 4C4
437-228-4747  Fax 905-841-9992 on.legion.ca  rclontariocommand@on.legion.ca   

 For those who don't know, we run a Thursday Night Bingo here at Branch 233 Orangeville. Like our motto " The Little Legion with a Big Heart, our Bingo is little but the people who support us have big hearts and generous spirits. So, it was only fitting, that when the opportunity arose to present a very unique award, the Bingo venue was chosen. The individual who was presented this award has over time consistently supported our branch every so quietly. As this award did not arrive in time for the “Honours and Awards” banquet, it was decided to do this presentation where our patrons, whose continued support enables us to assist various agencies in Orangeville, would also be a part of the ceremony honouring this person. Sharon Kimber was presented with the Royal Canadian Legion Friendship Award, which consisted of a medal and a certificate, signed by the Dominion President. 

The Friendship Award exists to honour and recognize individuals who have rendered assistance, service or cooperation to the Legion beyond that which could normally be anticipated or expected. Sharon Kimber is truly a Friend of the Legion!

Good day to one and all from the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 233 Orangeville. I would like to thank all those citizens of Orangeville and surrounding communities for their continuing support of our Thursday night Bingo. Because of this support, we were able to make two 1000.00 donations to two very deserving agencies within Orangeville this morning. The first donation was to Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the second was to the Family Transition Place. Again, many thanks to all.
“Lest We Forget” “We Will Remember”

First picture  above– left to right – Barry Kimber – President, Br 233 Orangeville, Nancy Stallmach, Executive Director – Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Dufferin and District, Chuck Simpson, 1st vice, Br 233 Orangeville.
Second picture – left to right – Barry Kimber – President, Br 233 Orangeville, Kelly Lee, Events and Community Relations Coordinator, Family Transition Place, Chuck Simpson, 1st vice, Br 233 Orangeville.

 On Saturday, 13 July 2019, a day which was one of remembrance, when we said goodbye to our comrade Don Patterson, four members of Branch 233 Orangeville got to open a very special box. This box came from a gentleman named Kelvyn Jenkins who lives in Wales and is a member of the Royal British Legion. In the box was a British Wooden Poppy. What a beauty it is. We have to thank Comrade Jenkins for the lovely Poppy as well as our own Comrade Rose Elsdon in whose name it was delivered to the Legion. It will be put in a place of honour. As we say, “Lest We Forget”, “We Will Remember” and we will REMEMBER. 

All pictures show: Front left, Comrade Rose Elsdon, Past President, back left, Comrade Chuck Simpson, 1st vice, front right, Comrade Barry Kimber, President, back right, Greg Laing, Branch Piper. 

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 Greetings to all. I have to say, that this was a very unique evening. Comrades Barry Kimber, President, Darrick Landry, Past President and Chuck Simpson, 1st vice President of Branch 233 Orangeville and Larry Weltz, President of Branch 449 Alton, all members of Zone E-3, had the great pleasure of joining with the Orangeville Fire Chief, Mr Ronald Morden and the officers, men and women of the Orangeville Fire department in a very special presentation. The Legion members, on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion Charitable Foundation presented the Orangeville Fire Department with a cheque for $5000.00. This money will go towards the purchase of a Multi Force Air Lifting Bag. This is an impressive piece of equipment, which if and when required, will give our fire department one more means in assisting those who are in need. We owe all "first responders" who put themselves in harms way for us a "great big thanks" and all the support that we can give them.