At a time when most service organizations are struggling with membership, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 18 in Wallaceburg is not only celebrating its centennial, but is optimistically planning its future.
Branch executive members, president Diane Daly, first vice-president Chantal Bilodeau-Seton, and second vice-president Mike Hindmarsh, sat down recently to discuss the branch’s past and future.
Daly, who began her third term as president in June, said she’s excited about the branch.
“My first term as president was 20 years ago. I’ve worked with some amazing volunteers over the years, but I’m very excited to be turning the job over to the next generation when my term is up,” she said. “We have a good mix with some young people as board members, and there is so much enthusiasm that it’s contagious.”
Daly said while the main mission for the branch is veterans’ services, it is doing even more community work than ever before.
“We never want to lose our core reason for being because I believe it’s what has held us together, but I know we can serve more than one purpose for the community,” she said.
The branch has 415 members, 157 of whom have taken advantage of free centenary membership nationwide.
“Our numbers are up to what they were 20 years ago, but you have to remember that back then, a lot of them were veterans who aren’t with us anymore. We believe we will be able to keep a healthy number of new members,” Daly said.
Bilodeau-Seton said, “Veterans are obviously the key, but being part of the wider community is what’s going to keep us here the next 100 years. We definitely want to look back and see where you’ve been. We need to remember, but the other core components and the pillars of the legion are our community.”
A branch open house held recently, which attracted more than 150 people, was a way of doing that.
“So, I think bringing the community in and really shining a light on all of the different services that the legion contributes to and different community events that we partake in is what’s going to keep it strong,” Bilodeau-Seton said.
Hindmarsh said the branch number represents that Wallaceburg was the 18th Legion chartered in Ontario.
“Our actual branch anniversary is in November, and I’m sure we will be celebrating then as well,” he said.
Hindmarsh said the branch location in downtown Wallaceburg at the confluence of the East and North branches of the Sydenham River makes it unique.
“There are other legion branches on the water, such as Dresden, but I’m not aware of any that have the kind of location we do,” he said.
Daly said the branch is in the third year of a million-dollar revitalization of its Margaret Avenue location.
Phase one involves the renovation of the upstairs banquet hall, renamed the Steve Bilodeau Event Centre in honour of Bilodeau, whose estate donated $275,000 to the cause.
“Our number one goal is to finish the upstairs. It will be an important addition to the community,” Daly said.
The second will be a wall of recognition for veterans, and the third will be a second-floor outdoor patio overlooking the river.
Fundraising has surpassed the 50-per-cent mark.
“We recognize that things are tough for a lot of people right now,” Hindmarsh said.
The branch has attracted corporate sponsorships, including Glasstown Brewing Company, which is making a donation for each sale of specially designed cans of Libby Lager Beer.
“We’ve applied for several grants as well, so we’re proceeding as quickly as we can with the means at hand,” added Daly.
Donations can be made at https://www.branch18.ca/donate or by contacting Sue Baert at 519-381-0061, [email protected]] or Sam Taylor at 519 627-0914, [email protected].
