Malahat Legion celebrates its 90th anniversary after almost closing down during pandemic
Stan Grenda has been a Legion member for 40 years. The last 27 of those years have been with the Malahat Legion.
He’s a proud veteran of the Canadian Navy after a long career.
“(I served for) 33 years, eight months and 5 days,” said Grenda.
After retirement, he and his wife moved to Mill Bay.
“I came up here and joined the Legion and I realized there was lots to be done here,” said Grenda.
His first order of business was to build a new bar. He designed a limited-edition pin and sold 800 of them as a fundraiser to support the construction.
“It’s paid for by those pins,” said Grenda.
On Friday the red carpet was being rolled out and balloons were going up at the Malahat Legion.
“It’s our 90th anniversary,” said Virginia Bauder, the Legion's treasurer.
The post was established shortly before the Second World War.
“Basically, we’re here to support veterans and veterans families,” said Bauder.
The Legion also supports community organizations, local food banks, animal rescue organizations and others.
“It’s been a tough run,” said Bauder. “2020 was a very tough run through COVID.”
In fact, there was a point where the Legion wasn’t sure if it was going to survive.
“I would say the key to our success is we were working with another organization called YSAGS (Young Seniors Action Group Society)," said Bauder.
That’s an activity group for people 55 years of age and older.
“Back in the day, if you recall, everyone was told to wear masks, but you couldn’t get one,” said Skip Whitfield, past president of YSAGS.
At that time, the Legion partnered with YSAGS to create 8,000 hand-sewn masks and distribute them for free in the community.
Bauder described that effort as a "big turning point" for the Legion, putting it on the community's radar.
Donations began to flow in, which was enough to keep the lights on, pulling the Legion through the tough times of the pandemic.
“We’re having a party tonight and we’re having a second celebration tomorrow,” said Robert Cleroux, Malahat Legion vice president.
The celebrations are to say thank you to the community and the Legion's 373 members, all people that stuck with it, getting it to its 90th anniversary.
“It’s my home away from home,” said Grenda. “The Cowichan Valley is aware of the fact that this little Legion – and I mean little, it has a very small footprint – but my golly, it’s got the biggest heart in the whole valley."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
investigation Prominent Vancouver lawyer accused of moving criminal cash dies before hearing
Vancouver lawyer Michael Bolton likely defended thousands of people over 50 years of practice. But in the end, he would not get a chance to defend himself.
BREAKING LCBO confirms strike over, stores to reopen Tuesday
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and the union representing 10,000 of its workers reached a tentative agreement Saturday, clearing the way for stores to open Tuesday.
Quebec woman's death warns of dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad
Brian McConnell's daughter, Florence McConnell, died after a liposuction surgery complication in Morocco. Now, he warns others against undergoing cosmetic surgeries abroad.
The latest on the global tech outage: Airlines rush to get back on track after IT disruption
Transport providers, businesses and governments on Saturday are rushing to get all their systems back online after long disruptions following a widespread technology outage.
Newfoundland premier says crew members on missing fishing boat found alive
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said on social media early Saturday morning that the entire province is "relieved" to learn the crew aboard the Elite Navigator has been found alive.
The latest from the U.S. campaign trail: Biden faces growing calls from Democrats to drop out
President Joe Biden says he’s ready to return to the campaign trail next week, even as a growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers called for him to step aside.
opinion Trump's assassination attempt not a political winner
Danger and fear are so pervasive throughout the national political ethos it is now the norm, writes Washington political columnist Eric Ham.
Social media prank could lead to charges after teens allegedly damage homes
A well-known childhood prank known as 'nicky nicky nine doors,' or 'ding dong ditch,' has escalated into a more serious game that could lead to charges for some Surrey, B.C. teens.
Interior residents get ready to flee as B.C. fire tally soars past 300
The out-of-control Shetland Creek fire in British Columbia's southern Interior has more than doubled in size due to what the wildfire service describes as "significant overnight growth" and more accurate mapping.