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Legion gearing up for a very busy summer in Quesnel

Hello again for another week.

I heard the best thing the other day from someone who is not a member of the Legion but said she reads my column weekly and she feels she should always be at the branch because it seems  there is always something happening.

Two weeks ago, I mentioned we had attended a Legion workshop and I would try to add a few items from that workshop each week.

Here are some fascinating facts that were shared.  Did you know that the Legion in British Columbia and the Yukon:

• is the largest nonprofit provider of veteran/seniors housing with more than 4,500 units in 70 facilities  – $1,169 million community investment;

• volunteers contribute more than 600,000 hours in communities supporting health, social, educational and athletic programs;

• is the largest contributor supporting Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Cadets and more than 400 youth groups;

• provides bursaries and scholarships worth more than $819,000 annually;

• Contributes approximately $400,000 for medical research and special medical equipment;

• Is one of the critical points of contact for emergency preparedness and response.

Pretty impressive – makes you even prouder to be a member of this great organization.

So, on to the local scene.

We held our executive meeting this week and spent some time going over plans for Billy Barker Days.

We will be having our annual watering hole and will be contacting members who have their Serving It Right to volunteer for serving beverages.

So if you qualify please come forward to offer your services.

I helped out last year and had a great time doing it.

In fact, I am already signed up for a couple of shifts.

This is one of our larger fundraisers and provides valuable support to the Legion.

Also under discussion is the upcoming Legion Week, kicking off  June 11 with many activities and ending with a spaghetti dinner which is free to our veterans.

Events run all week with various activities ending June 17 with a steak dinner, silent auction and dessert auction.

We will also be having Jacinta – a new musician to our community who hails from Newfoundland to entertain us as well.

All for the low price of $10.

Mayor Mary Sjostrom will also be on hand to present the Legion with a plaque commemorating our 85th year.

Sharon MacDonald is a Legion member.