To the Editor:
We at the Keremeos Legion are happy to inform the people of Keremeos and area that from January to December of 2011 we were able to support 23 organizations. With your help we gave out $12,489, down from 2010.
Some of the larger ones are three by $1,000 scholarships to SESS students, who are going on to higher educations.
Similkameen Christmas Hamper $1,455 to help the less fortunate, Girl Guides $1,060, Karate Club $1,680.
We know you are thinking, “Why do they give these donations out when they openly say that the Legion is just scraping by?”
Well, let us remind you again. All this money that goes out in donations comes from the support you have given us, by way of supporting our meat draws.
There is a misunderstanding in the public view as to how the Legion must use funds raised. All the money we gain from meat draws must be returned to the community - any gaming licensee will tell you that. If we don’t donate we would have to forfeit our license for gaming.
We are soley supported by canteen sales, hall rentals, suppers held on the last Saturday of the month, after the meat draw. An example of one thing we give and get is Kars Under the “K” - we donate $500 and they provide us with the beer garden venue.
Many of you understand that we have a volunteer bar staff. Any Legion member who volunteers for the community usually receives no remuneration. We do it for community self-reward.
Legion members pay $44 in annual dues. The local keeps $11 and the rest goes to command headquarters for their support of community events and donations.
A list of Legion events include:
Gucci Cards (Monday and Thursday), Free Bingo (Tuesdays), Darts (Wednesday), Bunny Races (Friday), Meat Draws (Saturday and Monday).
On the last Saturday of the month, Gary cooks a good meal for $5 - where else can you get a complete supper for that price and have lots of company?
Our canteen people are volunteers. We have a new person on Sundays who has a long list of special alcohol and non-alcohol based drinks - come and try them out. Remember we told you about our new heating / cooling system the village helped us get. Well, come and see how well it works, even though it doesn’t feel like winter, it still is and the Legion is warmer now than it used to be.
There is still the idea that the Legion is the “old boys club,” to remember their war days, etc., but now our members are baby boomers. We are an old club of a new generation who would like to survive. This can only happen with your support.
Taking out a membership can help too, and is very easy to do. With a membership there is no need to be signed in and you are able to come and go as you please.
So, we ask again: Please come and support the Legion, so we can continue to support the community with gaming money.
We are a happy crowd and enjoy company. With the membership you can do the same. We also invite those that used to be members to come back for a visit and renew old friendships. A membership allows you to be able to visit any Legion almost anywhere.
On a final note, the Spinoza bear program continues with the Keremeos Legion. The Spinoza bear - “the bear who speaks from the heart”- is provided to children in our community who have cancer and other serious illnesses, or who are living with a disability or trauma.
Getting a bear to a child is simple: an application form can be picked up at the Legion. Please speak to me if you would like more details about this program.
In closing, come one; come all to the Legion so that together we can continue to support our community.
Yours in comradeship, Beverly Remizove, Legion President