BRANCH TORCH May/ June 2024
President’s Message:
Joe Gowing
Hello Comrades. As we come into the warmer weather things start to slow down. This is a great time to come down and visit your branch! We will be having Horseshoes Ladies Wednesdays, and Mixed drop-in, Saturdays Starting in June. See Jeff for more details.
We will be having an Honours and Awards ceremony June 23 2024, Doors open at 12pm for social meet and greet, with Lunch, Ceremony Starts at 1pm. ALL members are welcome to attend with family. Please RSVP to Secretary@prestonlegion.ca so we know how many people we can expect. Dress is Legion Uniform; or Sunday best if you don’t have one.
I, along with Al Clark (1st VP), Deb Page-Bruce (Secretary), Terry Smit (VSO) and Bob Bruce (Sgt at Arms) will be attending our Dominion Conference this summer. We will bring back all the information and present it at our General meeting in September.
April General Meeting we did not have enough people to vote on new members or anything else that the executive body cannot vote on. I am asking that all members please try and come to at least one General meeting this year. It is very important as we cannot get some of our work completed without approval. Donations to charities, Poppy donations, new Memberships etc. Meetings are 3rd Tuesday of every month except July and August.
There will be no Torch in July and August.
If you haven’t yet, please visit our website and sign up to receive information from the branch. www.prestonlegion.ca.
Thank you all and I look forward to seeing you at the branch.
1st Vice President & Entertainment:
Al Clark
Do you have a special skill, trade, or eagerness to help Well, why not volunteer? Please reach out to an executive member and add you to our amazing group of volunteers.
If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, we are looking for folks to open the kitchen for karaoke nights on:
- May 11
- June 15
2nd Vice President & House & Grounds:
Brian Patterson
The Accommodation review Committee has been busy with meeting outside companies that are interested in helping/ partnering with us on our new building venture. We will be meeting with everyone and will have something to present at our September General Meeting.
Sergeant-At-Arms:
Robert Bruce
Hello Comrades! Our color guard is in dire need of capable bodies to March in uniform at this years Warriors Day week-end as well as our Remembrance Day parade in 2024. If you are interested in becoming an active member of our color guard, please contact me at 519-653-8100.
Poppy Chair:
Sherrill Hyde
Poppy: The last couple of months, the committee has been discussing Poppy Fund donations to Veteran support groups.
Last month, I wanted to discuss these donations at our General meeting. We had a very low attendance at this meeting and didn't achieve member quorum. Therefore, we couldn't discuss / accept these donations. WE NEED BETTER ATTENDANCE AT THE MAY GENERAL MEETING so we can pass these suggested donations to these worthwhile charities.
The Poppy bank balance as of tonight is $54,464.00.
Sports:
Jeff Whittaker – jawhitty48@hotmail.com
Friday (130 pm) snooker is slowing down but we have a loyal group of 3 (myself included) Thank you gentlemen. Sometimes we are on and sometimes we’re not. Always have fun anyways.
Cornhole Thursdays at 7pm $5.00/ person
Horseshoes will be starting on June 12. Wednesday is Ladies 6-8PM. Mixed on Saturday 12-3 pm Date to be confirmed. Looking for interest. Sign up in branch.
Thank you all for your support; wouldn’t be able to do without you.
Membership:
Debbie Page-Bruce
Hello Comrades! Once again, I cannot express the importance of keeping your profile information up to date (i.e. telephone, email, current address, name change, etc.). This information is kept on our database for mailouts, honours and awards, Poppy campaigns, etc. You can always call me at 519-653-8100 or email me at secretary@prestonlegion.ca with any changes you may have. As well, don’t forget to put forth your name as a volunteer (same telephone and email address above) as we always need extra bodies to help out with the various events and functions we have all year long. As always, thank you for your support and Comradeship.
VSO
Terry Smith
Hello comrades
Hope everyone is well with you all
Pleased to say I've assisted 2 veterans in last few months with successful claims to Veterans Affairs Canada and between both has been $61,000
Next I would ask those who took part in last year's banner programme who haven't paid the installment fees for this year to please do so. If you're unsure, please let me know.
Please as always if you're a veteran or a family member of a veteran reach out to me get what your entitled to.
Seniors:
Myra Plantz
Thank you to all the Seniors for attending the last dances. We have had great success so far and we are going to continue to have fun.
Next Dances are:
May 19
Thursdays Euchre 12:30pm start $5.00 to play. We have grown from 4 people to now over 40! There is always more room for anyone that wants to come out and play.
Secretary
Debbie Page-Bruce
Hello Comrades! Things are moving along quite nicely right now. We are currently gearing up for our Honours and Awards celebration which is set for Sunday, June 23, 2024.
All members receiving pins, certificates of appreciation, etc. will receive a personalized letter via mail. I have volunteers coming in this Thursday to help stuff and stamp envelopes, then off to the post office they go, so you should receive your letter next week.
Members who are not receiving a letter, please check our Legion’s website and the various methods of advertising throughout the Legion. It would be appreciated if you would call me at 519-653-8100 or email me at secretary@prestonlegion.ca to advise whether or not you will be in attendance. As always, thank you for your support and Comradeship.
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! Please reach out to me if you are interested in putting your name forward as a volunteer. We have a list of people that I manage that we reach out to on occasion to help out where needed. So, if you are interested, please reach me at membership@Prestonlegion.ca
Bar Manager
Brian Arn
The bar has been doing well. With the introduction of our small kegs and specialty beers we can offer something else and will do so on a monthly basis as long as it sells. On other fronts we are moving along nicely and business is proceeding well.
Come on down and check us out for yourself.
