Legion raising funds for roof repair

By Dale Woodard on April 10, 2021.

The Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart Branch #4 is looking to put a roof over their heads.
To replace the existing one, of course.
The local branch has started up a Go Fund Me campaign to help pay for a new roof.
The goal has been set for $20,000 to cover the cost for the immediate replacement of the lower roof with a deadline to reach the goal by May 31.
The branch moved into the building in 1976 when it was a former Loblaws.
Repairs to the main roof were conducted several years ago and the lower roof portions were in good shape at the time. Still, the need is immediate, and repairs are under way.
“This building has been here for 44 years, this used to be a grocery store,” said Kent Perry, media past-president of the General Stewart Branch #4 and organizer of the Go Fund Me along with Tom McElhinney, who is also the Poppy Chair of the Lethbridge Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. “It’s an older building, of course, and we’ve been dealing with roof problems. Because it’s a tar and gravel roof, once they get a leak they go all over the place. About four or five years ago we had to replace the major portion of our roof because there was some major leaking going on. We were able to get that done. Because there’s a second level, its been not bad, but in the last few years it has started to deteriorate and we’re finding it’s now leaking. So we want to get that done. It’s leaking in the east end of our building and I think it’s repaired now, but we have another leak on our loading ramp, which is for storage. But hopefully we can do that in-house.”
The COVID-19 pandemic of the past year has hit the Legion’s cash flow, said Perry.
“We were shut down last March, didn’t open until July and we were at 50 per cent capacity. So that really restricts us in that regard and also the fact as we have gaming and draws and different fund raising things through Alberta Gaming. We couldn’t do that because of COVID. So that income is down well, but with those being restricted funds we couldn’t have used that for the roof.
“So in order to facilitate these repairs we decided to do that. I want to thank those who have donated so far and I look forward to the support. I know southern Alberta and the City of Lethbridge is well known for that.”
So far, $900 of the $20,000 goal has been raised.
With the Legion hosting a variety of events, Perry took stock of the importance of the building located just off Mayor Magrath Drive.
“We support all the Cadet leagues in the city and boys scouts and girl guides,” he said. “Our poppy campaign is run out of this building and during the poppy campaign we have lots of people coming in and using this building. Remembrance Day is very big with our veterans, both serving and retired, because we have a big military presence in the city. This building is very important to the community and to us.”
McElhinney said money raised by the Poppy Fund can’t be made available for maintenence or the building.
“It is money specifically held in trust for the benefit of the veterans and their families,” he said. “I think most people in the community value the history of the Royal Canadian Legion and the value of the service given by veterans in the past. I think we enjoy freedom in this country because of the service that took place.”
Like Perry, McElhinney also noted the importance of the Lethbridge Legion and its upkeep.
“I think there’s the physical presence of the building and then I think there’s the emotional attachement that the building brings,” he said. “I think everybody that drives past the building on Mayor Magrath sees the airplane and that subconsiously creates a connection with the Legion. If it wasn’t there, perhaps the connection wouldn’t be so strong. I think as years go by we take for granted the freedoms we enjoy and I think that creates that emotional attachment, both to the present and to the past.”
Those wanting to make donations can visit https://gofund.me/8156b1a5, the Lethbridge Legion website at Lethbridge Legion.ca or their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/LegionGeneralStewartBranch4
The Lethbridge Legion also has a page on http://www.gofundme.com called Help Kent repair a leaky roof.
The Legion remains open and available to provide assistance for all veterans through its service officer.

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