It may only be July, but you have a chance to fill Santa’s sleigh – and support three local charities.
The Royal Canadian Legion #2 in New Westminster invites community members to attend its Christmas in July fundraiser. It’s on Saturday, July 29 (noon to 10 p.m.) and Sunday, July 30 (noon to 8 p.m.) at the Legion at 631 Sixth St.
“It’s our big summer fundraiser. We have decided we’re going to be helping out most vulnerable in New West this year,” said Michelle Lapre, operations manager at the New West Legion. “We’re looking to help out Aunt Leah’s Place with the youth, the Lookout society with our adult homeless population, and Don’t Go Hungry.”
Profits from the weekend fundraiser will be split between the three New West-based charities. The family-friendly fundraiser includes a Christmas bake sale, a kid’s prize wheel, a silent auction, and food (pulled pork on a bun and hot dogs – while supplies last.) A meat draw, a 50/50 draw and live music by Rhythm Street are taking place on both days.
“We’re also doing a huge winter coat and boot drive. So we’ll have all the bins out there. We’re even bringing out the red sleigh. We’re going to set that up out there too,” Lapre said. “We’re going to take non-perishables also for St. Aidan’s Don’t Go Hungry program because summertime is a hard time for them.”
Christmas in July is the Legion’s big summer fundraiser, but the non-profit raises money for local charities all year long. So far this year, the Legion has already raised and given out $17,000 to community organizations.
“We do meat draws, we do 50/50s,” Lapre said. “The money that gets raised, we give that all back out to the community. That is where we raised $17,000 from.”
Legion customers, whether they’re members or not, help the non-profit raise money that gets donated back into the community. That includes hospitals, bursaries for high school student ($4,000 was recently given out to graduating students at New Westminster Secondary School) and community organizations (like the Don’t Go Hungry food program and River Fest).
“By helping out the Legion, you’re actually helping your own community,” Lapre said. “We are non-profit. All the money that we make here somehow goes back into this community. That is including bar sales and everything.”
With the exception of two bar staff, all of the New Westminster Legion’s work is done by volunteers, Lapre said.
People can become Legion members – or they can just drop into the uptown venue, as membership is not required. The #2 Legion opens daily at 2 p.m. (noon for special events).
“Just about all the Legions have now gone to a public welcome,” Lapre said. “But by all means, by being a member, you’re even helping out ever even more because your membership goes towards helping veterans and the rest in your community.”
According to Lapre, the Royal Canadian Legion #2 in New Westminster has a very limited kitchen, but it offers a small menu on Wednesdays, normally homemade soup and sandwiches.
“We always have a hotdog menu,” she added. “And it’s not just a regular menu — we’ve got specialty hot dogs. All sorts of loaded hot dogs.”
