Local Legion could close
Darren Handschuh - Feb 21, 2018 - Biz Releases

Image: File Photo

It’s been a fixture in the community for almost a century, but after 91 years of service, there is a chance the Vernon Legion could close its doors.

At a general meeting Tuesday evening, the Branch 25 executive announced its group resignation.

Five volunteer leaders, including President Bill Balcaen, have stepped down.

Blacaen said while the local legion has 150 members, not enough are willing to volunteer for the executive.

“We have been doing this for six years, and we’re all very tired,” said Balcaen.

Balcaen said the local legion is doing fine financially, but without someone willing to step up and take over the leadership responsibilities, the legion may not carry on past the end of April when tenure of the current executive ends.

Balcaen said it was a hard decision for all of the executive to make.

“As president, I would just as soon not be delivering this message,” said Balcaen. “If the legion closes, our zone command will take over. If we don’t have an executive, they will take over our charter.”

Without the charter, legion programs like the annual poppy campaign will likely come to an end.

“There would just be no one to take care of it.”

Balcaen said there is a chance another legion could take over the local poppy campaign, but that would increase their workload and he doesn’t know how realistic that would be.

Groups like A.N.A.F. Vets could also take over the campaign, if they choose to do so.

Balcaen said over the years, the local legion has put $600,000 into the community through bursaries and other programs.

“We will disperse all of the monies raised in the community before we close the doors, if it comes to that,” said Balcaen.

“To keep the doors open, we need more members to become involved. We need working members. It’s tough, a lot of people have different commitments. It’s a different era I guess, but this is what we are faced with.”

The Vernon Legion is not alone in its plight.

“A lot of legions are suffering for lack of members. I don’t know if it’s served its time, if it’s a different era we’re drawing from, a different generation. I don’t know,” he said.


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