Royal Canadian Legion Branches across the country once again held special July 1st celebrations this year, inviting their communities in for events like breakfasts and barbeques. Through a great partnership, Sportsnet radio 590 The Fan morning show with Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning broadcast live from branch 344’s patio overlooking Lake Ontario, peppering the show with promotions not only about the July 1st events, but with facts about the Legion!
Breakfasts and barbeques… and a Sportsnet focus on Legion work
OTTAWA, ON, 2 July 2024 – Royal Canadian Legion Branches across the country once again held special July 1st celebrations this year, inviting their communities in for events like breakfasts and barbeques.
Ontario Branch 344 in Toronto held an inaugural free breakfast serving the works such as eggs, sausages, fruits, and fixings. Community members who stopped by included several area police officers from Toronto’s 14 division who are not only great community supporters of the branch, they’re always ready to lend a hand.
“We just have to pick up the phone,” says Mary Keates, Branch President. “They’re Legion members, I have nothing but good to say and I adore them,” she says.
Through a great partnership, Sportsnet radio 590 The Fan Morning Show with Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning broadcast live from branch 344’s patio overlooking Lake Ontario, peppering the show with promotions not only about the July 1st events, but with facts about the Legion. Legion national spokesperson Nujma Bond had a chance for a sit-down interview to talk about significant provincial and national initiatives, from the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships, to Ontario Command’s Operation Service Dog - and - how Legion Service Officers across the country are there to help all Veterans.
Ontario Command First Vice President Lynn McClellan stopped by for the morning breakfast and says he was honoured to visit the Queen’s Own Rifles branch.
“Thanks to all for the genuine hospitality and opportunity to visit and I look forward to returning in the near future,” he says. “Also, my thanks to the hundreds of Legion Branches across Canada who provided so many activities for their members and their communities. What a great way to celebrate our history."
A later day barbeque and entertainment by a local band of great musicians also featured picturesque patio views and great food, a 50-50 draw that brought in over $700.00 with half going to the winner – fittingly - a local Korean War Veteran. Sportsnet also donated a pair of tickets to a Toronto Blue Jays game, a Jays Jersey, and a Jays hat, and those will be given away at a future branch event.
Guest speakers included local MP the Honourable Arif Virani, also Canada’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, as well as the branch padre, alongside piper and branch member Michael MacDonald clad in a full kilt.
At Toronto’s branch 344, the day to celebrate Canada was also a day to celebrate the Legion and its mission.
“It was an outstanding day,” says Keates. “My heart was singing. We even welcomed four or five new members. I’m just so happy, happy, happy.”
About The Royal Canadian Legion
Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S. and Europe. With 250,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers.
National Public Relations / Media Inquiries: PublicRelations@Legion.ca/ 343-540-7604 - Nujma Bond
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