For years, Thoroldites have found that when they need help, they can count on their local Legion.
The Legion’s annual Poppy Fund is unique, according to Ken Smalko of the club’s executive.
“There are no administration fees with the poppy program,” Smalko told the Thorold News.
“The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 17 is different, because every single penny goes to help veterans and their spouses. Many of them are getting treatment in the Niagara Region,” he added, including at the Walker Family Cancer Clinic.
Dave Hale said the Legion’s yearly Vegas raffle draw allows them to support Thorold Legion baseball and sponsor local families through Community Care.
According to Thorold Legion Ball president Fred Matheson, "The Legion has been a supporter of Thorold Legion Minor Baseball for a long time. They help sponsor the yearly CAN-AM friendship tournament with the town of North East, PA. This yearly tournament gives kids a chance to meet new friends, not just for the weekend; some keep in contact for years afterward."
He added that the Legion "also gives us a place to meet, do registration, and also lends us the hall when we do a fundraiser."
In addition, the Legion has donated to a long list of charities through Nevada and Las Vegas ticket sales through the years, including:
Autism Niagara, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, Community Care, Crohns & Colitis Niagara, Cystic Fibrosis, Denis Morris Breakfast Club, Education Foundation of Niagara, FACS Niagara, Gillian’s Place, Hospice Niagara, Hotel Dieu Shaver, Huntington Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research, Kidney Foundation, Kids Help Phone, March of Dimes, MS Society of Canada, Niagara Symphony Children’s Camp, Ride for Dad-Prostate Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Protection Hose Company #1-Easter Egg Hunt, St. Catharines General Hospital, St. John’s Anglican Church restoration, TCAG-Nick Basciano Centre, TCAG-Send a Kid to Camp, The Lung Association, The RAFT, Thorold Anglers Kids Fishing Derby, Thorold Blackhawks, Thorold Conservation Kids Fishing Derby, Thorold Figure Skating Club, Thorold Legion Baseball, Thorold Santa Claus Parade, Thorold Secondary School, Trinity United Church restoration, United Way, VON Canada, Women’s Place.
