President’s Message:
Joe Gowing – President@Prestonlegion.ca
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 looking to start up ladies Horseshoes Wednesdays. See Jeff for more details.
Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement for being elected your new Deputy Zone Commander for our zone C2. Looking forward to working and sharing what I have learned at our branch with others.
May 10-13th Debbie Bruce Bob Bruce and I, will be attending the Provincial Convention in London. We will bring back all we have learned from there and share it at the General Meeting in June.
I am asking that all members please try and come to at least one General meeting this year. Our new regulations state we need 5% of our membership to be in attendance, which is 20 members. 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 on the 3rd Tuesday of every month except July, August and December.
April 27 was our election; I want to thank all those that put their names forward to be on the executive. Without you there would be no branch. To those that were elected Congratulations, I look forward to working with you all.
To those who did not seek reelection thank you for all you have done for our branch. Good luck and we will see you at the branch.
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 – 1VP@prestonlegion.ca
Comrades,
On April 12 and 13th, Joe and I attended the zone C spring convention in Kincardine.
Where we heard from guest speakers from The organization, heroes mending on the fly, an organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of injured members of the Canadian military, RCMP, first responders and veterans through fly fishing.
This is a great organization which collected donations from Poppy funds from every branch in the zone, including our own. We also heard from the Ontario Provincial Police on how to prevent being scammed online and on the phone. Branch 126 was also recognized for 95 years of dedicated service to the purpose and objects of the Royal Canadian Legion and to Canada. If you would like to read the zone C convention report, please feel free to reach out to me for a copy.
Thanks and I will see you at the branch, Lest we Forget.
2nd Vice President & House & Grounds:
Brian Patterson
Thank you all for supporting me in my role on the executive. I wish the new board success.
Seniors:
Myra Plantz
Thank you to all the Seniors for attending the last dances. We have had great success. We have been having a lot of fun with everyone that has attended. I’d like to personally thank my Volunteers; Marg, Jim, Gwen, and Katie. Without your help it wouldn’t be possible.
Next Dances are:
May 19
The Craft, Bake and Garage Sale is May 10th from 8am-2pm
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/ Membership
Debbie Page-Bruce - secretary@presonlegion.ca
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
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.
SGT AT ARMS
Terry Smith - VSO@PrestonLegion.ca
I'm also looking for volunteers willing to be part of colour party.
On Wednesday April 23rd I will be representing the branch at information table at Riverbend retirement home. To inform what service the legion can offer to our more senior veterans as well as events seniors may like to attend at the branch.
I am also looking for as many veteran members as possible who would like to take the stage at this year's city of Cambridge Canada Day celebrations July 1st.
Thank you all for your continued support.
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.
Veteran Service Officer
Terry Smith -VSO@PrestonLegion.ca
Hello comrades
Hope everyone is well. As many of you are probably aware I’m now part of the Ending Veterans Homelessness initiative (EVHI) this is an initiative collaboration between Waterloo region, branch service officers around the region. WRPS, Cambridge shelter corporation and porchlight. Although in its early stages and funded through federal funds until March 2028 I’m pleased to say since my last report, we have housed 3 homeless veterans, with several others being identified as veterans.
With this in mind, if you know of rooms or apartments for rent or landlords prepared to rent to homeless veterans please contact me.
Additionally, we are actively looking for furniture donations from beds, kitchen wares and such we can kit these guys out with.
If you have any questions, donations or concerns regarding veterans’ issues please contact me at Vso@prestonlegion.ca
(If you are a Veteran in need of assistance or know one, please contact Terry Directly)
Poppy/ Bursary/ Youth Ed Chair:
Sherrill Hyde - Poppy@PrestonLegion.ca
Poppy: The current Poppy Fund bank balance is $58,107.74 as of April 16th. We've had several donation cheques cashed already.
I've submitted Special Use Forms to Command for approval to Heroes Mending on the Fly, Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation, Vera's Place. Heroes Mending on the Fly was approved, and a cheque was handed out at Convention in April along with several other donation cheques to different Veterans groups.
The only things I must do this spring is HST rebate for Revenue Canada and the Poppy charity report which is due in June.
Poppy seminar in Stratford, June 22nd.
Otherwise, Poppy doesn't get busy again until September / October when the next campaign starts.
Upcoming Events:
Decoration Day June 29th Parklawn Cemetery 2 pm service to honour our deceased Legion members and Veterans. Everyone welcome
Patrick Baker Memorial Warriors Weekend Sept. 5th and 6th Preston Legion. Wine & Cheese Sept. 5th Band tattoo Sept. 6th Everyone welcome
YOUTH EDUCATION REPORT
I'm waiting on Poster / Literacy submissions from the schools.
BURSARY REPORT
There were 2 bursaries submitted waiting to be approved from Branch 126 again this year.
Legion.ca for application
Sports:
Jeff Whittaker – sports@prestonlegion.ca
Happy November/ December all! Cornhole and darts are picking up on Thursday and Fridays, but we can always use more players. I see people playing pool on different days and nights. Come on in and sign the sheets or email me at the branch sports@PrestonLegion.ca. I’ll add your name and contact info to my list. Let’s get together and have some fun challenging each other. Still looking for 8-ball players for Tuesday 7-9 and snooker players for Wednesday 7-9 (if you are good at snooker maybe you can show me how to play better ha-ha)
See you all soon.
BRANCH ELECTION RESULTS 2025
PRESIDENT – JOE GOWING
1ST VP – AL CLARK
2ND VP – GARY STAVELEY
SGT AT AMRS – TERRY SMITH
EXECUTIVE – (8 ELECTED)
STEVE HOWLETT
DAN WELSH
NATHAN MCDANIEL
MYRA PLANTZ
SHERRILL HYDE
DEBBIE PAGE-BRUCE
JEFF WHITTAKER
GWEN WHITTAKER
Congratulations to all elected.
Thank you to all that put their names forward it shows the appreciation and dedication you have to your branch.
To the out going executive members, thank you for all you have done for our branch. You have truly made a difference for the better. Your service to your branch has not gone unnoticed and you will be missed.
DEBBIE WOODLEY
ALLAN GOWING
BRIAN ARN
BRIAN PATTERSON
