By Shelly Carrera
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 261-Forest Grove president Jim Tindale is passionate about the work he does with the Legion and says he feels what the Legion does in the community is very important.
The Legion is a non-profit, private club that is dedicated to Veteran and community service. While it supports services for Veterans, it also lends support to the Forest Grove Elementary School.
Jim is very proud of the fact the Legion was a big contributor to the funds raised for the new playground equipment at the school. The Legion also offers the Florence Redpath and Rita Larsen Bursary to a worthy student within the 100 Mile House area.
The Forest Grove Legion is involved in a lot of different fundraisers and any money raised goes to charity. Legion kitchen and bar revenues are a few of the ways the Legion pays its bills. Raising operating funds is always a challenge and a struggle.
A new event the Legion came up with this summer was the Red Neck Olympics and it hopes to combine forces with the Forest Grove ’94 Lions Red Neck Regatta to create a bigger and better Redneck Weekend – making it a destination weekend in Forest Grove.
Jim wants to dispel the misconception that the Legion is just a place to go and drink. If you’re not a member, you must be signed in and there are rules to abide by.
This is a busy Legion with lunches and dinners being served, darts, craft sales, pool tournaments, dances, fundraisers, and various other activities going on. He would like to make the Legion a little more family friendly with space for children to have meals with their parents.
Of course, Remembrance Day is important for the Legion, and this year, Forest Grove residents will see the improvements to the Cenotaph in the backyard of the Legion.
A membership to the Legion is $50. This Legion has 137 members, but they are always looking for new members and volunteers. If you have any special skills or just want to help, call the Legion at 250-397-2455.
Elections will take place in December.
Jim would like to thank all the businesses that gladly contribute when they are called on for donations. They are a big part of the Legion’s fundraising success, he says.
