It’s one of the saddest moments for the Port Elgin Royal Canadian Legion as its Ladies Auxiliary prepares to hand in its Charter and, thus, dissolve the local Auxiliary.
After more than its incredible 76-years, the Port Elgin Legion Ladies Auxiliary has been forced to dissolve its Charter.
According to sources in the Auxiliary, age has become an issue. “There are basically five senior members who keep the Auxiliary going and we are all in our eighties. We have not had any younger support and, therefore, cannot keep on going. We have younger members but they, for whatever reason, are unable to help out when it comes to activities.”
The Ladies Auxiliary has been a backbone of the Legion branch with supporting legion events, providing catering to events, being a major part of legion support and fundraising for community projects and donating to the Legion for veterans and youth projects.
The Ladies’ Auxiliary began during the First World War when women were asked to help wounded Veterans returning home, and to provide supports for their families. When The Royal Canadian Legion was established in 1926, these women were a welcomed addition at Legion Branches as they continued the tradition of volunteering to support needy ex-service personnel, and to enrich the programs and activities of the Branch.
They are a vital and integral part of the work of the Legion. Major contributors to the day-to-day life of Legion Branches, the Ladies’ Auxiliaries provide financial and volunteer support to Legion programs and continues to be major contributors to the day-to-day life of Legion Branches providing financial and volunteer support to Legion programs and the community.
“I am very saddened that our Ladies Auxiliary will be handing in their Charter to Ontario Command after more than 75 years of service,” said Legion President Robert Harrison. “They have been an intricate part of our Branch raising funds for our veterans and community. Branch 340 will certainly miss them for all they have done not only for us but for the entire community.”
Many members, including Betty Fraser, have been members of the Auxiliary for decades.
“I have been a member for 37 years,” said member Betty Fraser. “Unfortunately, we just haven’t any new younger members wanting to step up and we are down to five active members who are now in their eighties and who try to support everything and we simply can’t keep up. We have asked younger women to help out but … to no avail.”
“This is a very sad time for the Legion and the Auxiliary,”
