The members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 140 Sechelt recently voted to donate $19,500 from poppy funds to various charities. Seaforth Highlanders Cadet Corps received $2,000 for their contribution to the 2021 Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Day Ceremony. This funding is crucial to the corps’ training program. In addition, the branch donated $5,000 towards the training of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dogs. These dogs are vital to the mental health of many Afghanistan veterans and veterans who suffer from service-related PTSD. The branch donated $5,000 to support recent veterans undergoing transitional education at BCIT. Then, $500 was donated to the Mainland BC Military Family Resource Centre to provide outreach services to retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP. We are in their catchment area, so local veterans may benefit directly. And finally, the branch pledged up to $7,000 to fund up to seven $1,000 bursaries to Chatelech grads in 2022 who have financial need, and who are the descendants of veterans. Of note, the federal government changed the definition of veteran in 2005 to include any member of the Canadian Armed Forces or RCMP who has completed basic training and has been honourably discharged. This change will make it easier for some bursary applicants to qualify.
These are the first of many donations stemming from last year’s Poppy Campaign, and are distinct from the donations already presented to the food bank, the Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle campaign, the Sunshine Coast Elves Club, Sechelt Meals on Wheels, Sunshine Coast Health Care Auxiliary’s Loan Cupboard and many more. We encourage everyone to come into the 140 Legion Bar and Grill and support us with your patronage so we can continue to support our veterans and our community.
