The Abbotsford Legion was kept occupied this past year with numerous community events. These activities included our participation in the AbbyFest, Girls Fly Too, Vimy Ridge ceremonies, Remembrance Day celebrations, and several dinners specifically for veterans as well as other functions.
Our local first responders were treated to a luncheon they described as “awesome and delicious”. This luncheon was made possible with the help of Darren Glencross, the manager of SuperStore, who made an ample donation and said “it was the right thing to do”.
High school students received a total of $15000.00 in bursaries towards the cost of their university educations. Donations were made to the Honour House Foundation to assist veterans and their families to help cover the cost of living expenses while in hospital.
The Military Police Motorcycle Riders were given a substantial amount towards the foundation for the blind while the Elks club was also given a donation to assist with the cost of their annual camp for kids.
The Abbotsford Community Services, Fraser Valley Singers, The Reach museum and our local food bank were also presented with donations to assist in their efforts to help our veterans and local citizens. Five veterans are presently being assisted with animals from the Citadel Therapy Canine Society in an attempt to improve their daily lives.
The poppy campaign was a huge success with much gratitude going to the people in Abbotsford for their generous donations. These funds assist all veterans and their families in the area. The membership of the legion are hoping to have a bench installed at Hazelwood cemetery with inscribed words LEST WE FORGET
Legion members do their best to come up with ideas for fundraising in order to do as much as we can for our community. We hold weekly bacon and egg draws on Wednesday afternoon, along with karaoke, music bingo on Thursday afternoons, karaoke every Friday night, and meat draws every Saturday accompanied by live music.
We also serve fish and chips on the first Friday night of each month and a steak dinner with all the trimmings on the third Friday night of the month in warmer weather.
We also have the legion hall available for rental and it has been used for a celebration of life, birthday parties and other occasions. Our membership has grown substantially this past year with some of our new members coming in as young as 32. You no longer have to be related to a veteran to become a legion member and this fact alone has helped the younger generation realize they too can join the legion and assist in various ways to help our veterans and our community.
We are all looking forward to another busy year ahead. For more information on events feel free to contact the legion on West Railway Street or check out our website at abbylegion.ca
Submitted by SHARON RATHBONE (to the Abbotsford News)