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
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
BREAKING London Drugs stores remain closed for 4th straight day after 'cybersecurity incident'
Dozens of London Drugs stores in Western Canada remained closed for the fourth straight day following a "cybersecurity incident."
No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in Boston freezer
A prosecutor in Massachusetts won't seek criminal charges against anyone, two years after four newborns were found in a freezer in a South Boston apartment.