Legions face uncertainty amid COVID-19 pandemic

“That’s where most of the support is coming from,” he said. “We don’t have to do normal fundraising throughout the year to pay for this.”

Local branches will create their own fundraising efforts and earn revenue through bar lounge liquor sales to continue with ongoing building and administrative costs.

“The funds raised in the poppy fund will be depleted a little bit faster because of [the pandemic], so instead of the fund being spent over 12 months, it will get spent a little sooner,” he said “Towards the end of this year we may see a shortage but there are enough branches in the province to pool resources together and hopefully continue on with the work we need to do.”

Wagner said any veteran who needs help will be supported.

“The more veterans who need help, we’ll find more resources which means more people are tapping into membership revenue,” he said. “That’s why memberships are so vital to us. We need a core base of volunteers and those are the volunteers doing the hard work.”

Are some branches in jeopardy?

Local branches may face some negative financial pressures, although it is too soon to tell.

“Some of the branches that are staffed and run a lounge throughout the day, those are the ones who could see the most pressure because they’re losing a source of revenue through liquor sales,” he said

A number of branches are not active with a bar lounge, so those branches may not be overly impacted but some may see a loss of rental income through hall rentals.

Wagner hopes the newly introduced federal subsidy – which offers 75 per cent of a person’s wages – will sustain the non-profit organization.

Wagner recommends non-profit organizations should look for any potential funding program and apply for it quickly because of the sheer volume in applications and delays in administration.

Prince Albert getting by

In Prince Albert, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2 hall is closed to the public, but they’ve used the down time to clean the facility.

“We actually [have] redone our dance floor, re-waxed it while we had the chance and we’re just putting stuff back now and get cleaned up and we’re just waiting hopefully to get opened back up someday,” said President Rick Hodgson.

He said being forced to shut their doors has cost them money as their lounge, suppers and other events have been put on hold. He added they have money put away to help pay bills and they will be looking at what kind of assistance is available from the federal government.

“I wouldn’t say we’re in trouble, we can probably weather the storm,” he said.

Battlefords holding on

Meanwhile, Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 70 in North Battleford said it is struggling but not giving up, with its doors closed to business because of the COVID-19 crisis.

“On Friday it will be two weeks with the mandate that came down from the Government of Saskatchewan,” Branch President, Marilyn Clark said. “When we received it, we immediately closed the doors. We still work behind the scenes a certain amount but we’re closed.”

The branch has an upstairs bar and also served meals, and offered space rentals so closing has an economic impact on the facility. Clark said the branch is closely monitoring the situation and staying on top of it.

“Like any other legion our size we will have to tighten our belts…It may reflect on donations to the community, but we’re not sure yet,” she said. “If we don’t have our doors open, we’re not paying staff.”

Clark said the branch will keep going nonetheless.

“We’re surviving,” she said. “We’re survivors at that branch.”

Branch No. 9 in Battleford is also challenged being closed due to the pandemic precautions.

President Esther Delainey said the branch used to be able to earn revenue renting the facility to groups but isn’t able to book anything now they’re closed.

“We’re at a standstill; there is nothing happening,” she said, adding the facility usually has “lots of rentals per month.”

The branch isn’t able to rent space because of the ban on gatherings of more than 10 individuals.

“Our income from our rent is zero,” Delainey said. “We’ve had lots of cancelled engagements; some of the bookings are postponed, hoping to pick a future date. We don’t know how far down the road it might be, but some of those still could be cancelled.”

Similar to the North Battleford branch, the Battleford branch is holding on despite the difficulties.

“Right now, we’re surviving. But I guess we’ll see how long this lasts,” Delainey said.

Meadow Lake remains optimistic

Meadow Lake Legion Branch No. 76 President Joanne Carter told meadowlakeNOW the local operations have ceased during the pandemic though is continuing with fundraising at a distance.

“We can’t have a gathering of 10 people to bring in revenue, we could cater a meal, but to who?” she said. “Doors are completely closed at this time though fortunately we live in a small community and somebody out there knows someone who can guide [veterans or RCMP] towards us.”

The branch sustains it’s daily operations through raffles, private bookings, catering, liquor sales, prize draws and wing nights. The volunteer-based organization is using funds raised by their own initiatives to keep lights on now, though expect to only cover utilities and building costs for approximately five months.

“Were optimistic we can sustain ourselves and pay our financial commitments,” Carter said.

Meadow Lake Legion Branch No. 76 is continuing their prize a draw for a fully stocked mini fridge with nearly three cases of Great Western beer.

The fundraiser began before places of gathering were provincially ordered to close, but has extended the draw to May 16 and can be ordered online here.

With files from Angela Brown and Michael Joel-Hansen.

—

nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: nicolereis7722

by Nicole Reis

Legions face uncertainty amid COVID-19 pandemic

What's Trending