A week after Legion member Gary Billon spoke about the many things that the organization does in communities across Canada and beyond, Keremeos Legion President Bev Remizove went public with a dismal economic outlook for the local branch.
“Our financial situation at the Legion is not looking good,” she told the Review earlier this week.
“Our secretary is facing layoff at the end of the month, and two janitors have already been laid off. One janitor will be down to three days a week.”
Remizove cited poor attendance at Legion functions as being the main reason for the economic plight. Numbers for those attending such weekly events as the Monday and Saturday meat draws, the Sunday bunny races and Tuesday bingo have been steadily nosediving since last November.
“The money we receive through gaming sales - pull tabs, Keno, and Texas Hold ‘em must, by law, go to charitable causes, so that is why that money is still available,” Remizove said.
“We have begun tapping into our savings account - three times this year because of low sales income.
Can we survive at this rate for the rest of the year? I think it’s iffy - we desperately need the membership to come forward and support us through the canteen.We have both alcohol and non alcoholic beverages - and our beer prices aren’t bad.”
Although dances have also been cancelled due to a lack of attendance, Remizove is hoping that an evening jam session might encourage an increased evening turnout..Anyone interested should consider dropping their name off at the legion.