75 years of dedicated service ends with Starlite gift

Submitted by EKFH on 13-12-2010

Kimberley, BC… On March 20, 1935 a group of determined young women decided to make a difference in their community by coming together and forming a registered society of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion #67.Seventy five years later and their predecessors have had to make another major decision. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion #67 were faced with a dilemma whether to continue or disband. Similar to many service clubs in the East Kootenay, dwindling numbers of active members and limited interest by any new volunteers is seeing many groups disappearing.

Even though the decision was difficult it is what the Ladies Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion #67 are leaving behind that continues to display their commitment to a cause.

When a registered society disbands and if they are any remaining funds from that organization, as a Society it must relinquish those funds to another registered society and/or charity. At the last official meeting of the Auxiliary, the members at large determined several groups to receive the dividends of that hard work. “After some research by our members we are proud of the choice we’ve made to dedicate some of our remaining funds to the East Kootenay Foundation for Health. We spoke with their Executive Director and we’re thrilled to know that we could designate $1,800 to provide assistance to the Kimberley Special Care Home (seniors’ recreation program) and the regional Renal Dialysis Unit,” explains President Loret North.

During the gift exchange last week at the Kimberley Special Care Home, the legion auxiliary members brought stories of how they raised money through bake sales, raffles, catering events and much more while helping community groups such as the LEES Youth Centre, Seniors Swim Program and veterans programs. The mood of the room was lightened through many fond memories of the membership at large.

East Kootenay Foundation for Health is grateful for the trust put into its organization by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion #67 and wish to applaud and thank them for their tremendous commitment of service to the Kimberley Area.

Back Row L-R: President Loret North, Dot Ward, Pat Oslund, Marlene Lutz, Lois McDonald, Mary Park, Marg Schacher, Andrea Dingwall, Mari Thomas (Kimberley Special Care Home – Daybreak Program), Donna Grainger (EKFH Executive Director)

Front Row L-R: George Wanuk (former Legion visitor) and Joyce Bullis (former Ladies Auxiliary member