The Orillia branch of the Royal Canadian Legion kicked off a membership drive this week.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and older members passing away, the Legion is in desperate need of new members, says the local branch's public relations officer, Rob McCron.
Currently the Orillia Legion has just over 900 members which is down markedly from a few years ago when there was almost 3,000 members at Branch 34 on Orillia's waterfront.
“A lot of them were war veterans who have aged, some of our members have just moved on to other things, but we are still one of the largest legions in Ontario,” McCron said.
McCron is hopeful that community members will see the many benefits of joining the Orillia Legion.
“Being situated on the lake we have one of the best views going, and this year the Legion has come out with membership perks. We have partnered with a bunch of companies to get members discounts,” he explained.
“Every week, you get coupons to the different partners we have, and we support the military veterans through the Legion fund.”
The Legion is also a great place to get out and socialize safely after being kept inside for parts of two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have pool tables, we have darts, we have a barbecue steak dinner every other Friday, we always have a fully stocked bar and we always have lots of activities going on,” he said.
Becoming a member also helps the Legion stay involved in the Orillia community. For many years, the Legion has been a proud supporter of local sports organizations, local students, and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.
“Anybody can drop by, have a drink, and take a look at the view here. It’s a place you can meet new friends. We have a lot of people come drop in," McCron said.
"It’s not like the old days when everybody thought you had to be a military member or a relative. Anybody can join the Legion. It’s not like an old boys' club anymore. It’s still the Legion, but we are welcoming everybody.”
To become a member for 2022, you can register for $55 before November. To register for the rest of 2021, the cost is $20. For more information, click here.
