Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Southpoint Sun - 5
Local legions looking ahead to better times By Mark Ribble WHEATLEY/KINGSVILLE — One of the hardest hit business sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the hospitality industry. And while most restaurants and bars have gradually begun to re-open, Royal Canadian Legions have been slow to come back. With approximately 1350 branches across Canada, and about 260,000 members, the legions have struggled through the pandemic. Wheatley Legion Branch 324 held an executive meeting on March 17 and made the decision to close until further notice. The executive held another meeting on Wednesday, July 22 and decided to hold off on opening the branch for the
time being. Branch 324 President Jan Watson, said it was a tough decision, but the right one. “We have to look after the safety of our staff, volunteers and members” she said. “Right now, there is so much uncertainty.” The Wheatley branch also services the former Leamington Legion members, after that branch folded several years ago. Their popular meat draws on Saturday afternoons brought in capacity crowds and with the current climate surrounding COVID-19, that type of event just wasn’t feasible.
Kingsville Branch 188 Royal Canadian Legion
BURSARY OPPORTUNITY Legion Branch 188 Kingsville is extending the opportunity for students graduating from high school in June 2020 to apply for 2019-2020 bursaries until September 1, 2020. If your parent is a member of Branch 188 you can apply for a $500 bursary. If a family member has served in the Canadian Armed Forces there are 2 poppy bursaries available, 1 for $1000, and 1 for $500. Proof of registration at a post-secondary institution will be required. If you need an application, contact Sue Blackford at suskablack@gmail.com
Their monthly birthday bashes filled the building as well, so holding any big events is just not in the cards at this point. The lack of patio space at their location prevents them from opening for patio service. “We will revisit it next month and see if anything has changed,” said Watson. Over at Kingsville Branch 188, President Lynne Crawford met with her executive to make some decisions this past Monday. Unlike Wheatley, who is already in Stage 3, Kingsville has to wait until
Windsor-Essex graduates from Stage 2 before they can open. “We definitely have some opening plans,” said Crawford. “We have applied for two patio extensions for more outdoor seating.” The branch plans to have a limited food menu available on Friday nights and has some activities planned that can be done while maintaining social distancing. “We are awaiting an inspection of our plans by the health board,” said Crawford. Kingsville Branch 188 is currently planning Remembrance Day activities and is available at all times to assist veterans, their families, seniors and the community.
Wheatley Branch 324 Royal Canadian Legion
ATTENTION MEMBERS AND PATRONS OF
LEGION BRANCH 324, WHEATLEY, ON The Executive of Wheatley Branch 324 Royal Canadian Legion met on July 22 to discuss the feasibility of opening under the current Covid 19 restrictions. The majority considered it in the best interest of the Branch not to reopen at this time. The decision was based upon the economic outlook and uncertainty of the Covid situation. This was a very difficult decision and the members and community can be assured that the Legion Executive are ready to move forward with reopening ASAP. Yours in Comradeship “Lest We Forget”.
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 324, WHEATLEY
