The General Meeting of Lion’s Head Legion Branch 202 was cancelled on Thursday, January 5, 2017 due to stormy winter weather.
Next Meeting: Legion Branch General Meeting – Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Next Meeting: Legion Ladies Auxiliary Meeting – Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 12:30 p.m.
Special Celebrations – The Lion’s Head Legion is celebrating an 86th Anniversary for the Branch and a 66th Anniversary for the Ladies Auxiliary in 2017. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Wiarton Legion will host the Zone C-4 Ladies Auxiliary Convention in May 2017. The Legion Branch Biennial Convention will be held in London, Ontario in May.

2017 Legion Membership: George Bowman, membership chairperson, on behalf of the Legion, would like to thank the members for submitting their 2017 Membership dues.

What is happening at the Legion?

• The membership approved the purchase of a laptop and appropriate computer programs to be used by the secretary of the Legion and will remain the property of the Lion’s Head Legion.
• The membership approved the expenses for Nancy Alleyne, Veteran Service Officer to attend the Veteran Service Officers’ Seminar in Listowel. Nancy reported that the seminar was very informative as to learning about programs available to assist veterans and their families when the need arises. Nancy can be contacted at 519-793-4346.
• Guy Aubin, Seniors’ Chairperson has received the information that the Ontario Senior Secretariat Community Grant application is available until early March 2017. Sharron Colter is preparing an application for a bus trip to Owen Sound to visit the Billy Bishop Museum, the Tom Tomson Art Gallery and to enjoy entertainment and a dinner at the Owen Sound Legion on Tuesday August 29, 2017. The priorities of the Community Grant are to encourage seniors to network and partner with other senior groups in the area, to be active in the community and to be aware of volunteering opportunities in the community. More information will be made available for members to sign up for the bus trip after March 2017. Call Guy Aubin at 519-795-7563 for any sharing of senior information or if a sunshine call to a member is needed due to illness.
• Youth Public Speaking at the Bruce Peninsula District School will be held on Tuesday February 21st. A thank you goes to Kim White for organizing this event. The monetary prizes are available from the Lottery Account. Do attend in uniform if possible. Meet at the school by 9:00 a.m.
• The Legion Branch members will attend the initiation of one new member at the February 2, 2017 General Meeting. Wear your uniform if possible.

Darts and Darts: Be a dart player on Mondays and Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.

Euchre: Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. A light lunch is served.

Monthly Draw 50/50 Lottery tickets are available at the Legion, Marydales, Brad’s by the Bay and from Legion members. The February draw will take place at the General Meeting on February 2, 2017 which will include tickets not drawn on January 5th due to the cancellation of the meeting. Therefore the winner of the 50/50 Lottery Draw will be announced in the March 2017 Newsletter.

Buy a 50/50 ticket to support your community as proceeds are given back through charitable donations to a variety of organizations such as Lion’s Head Food Bank, Bluewater Technology and Science Fair, Women’s House, Youth Public Speaking, St. John Ambulance and the Wiarton Salvation Army.

News from District “C”:
Charitable Foundation District “C” Chairman, Comrade Larry Bailey announced that $499,094.00 was available with 99 applications received this year for funding requests. District “C” had 11 applications and I am pleased to announce that the Peninsula Health Team Clinic in Lion’s Head has received funding for equipment at the clinic. It is through the generous donations from the Branches and the Ladies Auxiliary that these funds are available every year.

There are 86 veterans at Parkwood Hospital Institute and Western Counties Wing in London, Ontario that are sponsored by various legions throughout Ontario. The Lionès Head Legion and the ladies Auxiliary donate to the programs for the veterans.

The District Outdoor Track and Field Meet will be held in Kincardine on June 10, 2017. Volunteers will be needed for this event. Let Kim White know if you can volunteer.

If you visit Goderich, stop at the square and view the tank and the dedication plaque that Huron County citizens erected “In recognition and memory of the efforts of approximately 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces personnel who served and the 162 Canadians who died in the cause of bringing peace and freedom to the people of Afghanistan.”

See the District “C” Review, December, 2016 at the Legion for further updates.

Ontario Command:
The Homeless Veterans Fund continues to help Veterans leave the streets behind. This program continues to be a challenge across Canada as more and more Veterans are being identified as “homeless” and they are receiving help from the Legion programs.

News from Dominion Command: The most recent news item states that the Legions support further help with mental illness and research into treatment programs for veterans and active personnel.

Written by Sharron Colter,
Secretary, Lion’s Head Legion, Branch 202