Pointe-Saint-Charles legion raising funds for its aging roof — with help from a local brewery
'It's important to us, and I think it's important to the community,' says legion member
At the Pointe-Saint-Charles Royal Canadian Legion branch, every corner bears witness to the community's long military history: from helmets and uniforms, to black-and-white photographs of soldiers from the neighbourhood.
Despite this, its main display cabinet lies empty, and for good reason: it's right under a water leak from the nearly 140-year-old building's roof. That leak is at the centre of a fundraising campaign for repairs which auxiliary legion member Fergus Keyes estimates at $30,000 to $35,000.
"In the old days, there was probably a strong enough membership for us to save the money from membership fees to do it. Today, fees cover the basic costs, like the heating and telephone bills," he said.
Like other legions across Canada, the Pointe-Saint-Charles branch in southwestern Montreal operates as a non-profit organization. Legion president Amanda McCaskill says her team hasn't been able to find any relevant grants to fund the much-needed repairs, although a helping hand has now been extended from just down the road.
Microbrewery steps up to help
Keegan Kelertas, the co-owner of Microbrasserie 4 Origines, was scrolling on Facebook when he came across a post about thelegion's fundraising efforts.
"We know the legion, they're practically our neighbours. We sold poppies for them for our first couple of years in Pointe-Saint-Charles. My brother was a veteran, so it's close to our hearts to want to help out," he said.
Customers at the brewery's Pointe-Saint-Charles location can purchase a special four-pack of the brewery's Ironworks beer, which pays tribute to the history of the neighbourhood.
"One of our values in starting this business was to be involved in the community," said Kelertas, who has previously raised funds for neighbourhood non-profit organization and food bank Share the Warmth, and for the Montreal Irish Memorial Park Foundation.
Several legions across Canada encounter funding issues
In recent years, several Royal Canadian Legion branches across the country have found themselves facing similar funding challenges to the ones in Pointe-Saint-Charles. Keyes says the federal government should do more to ensure legions can cope with the costs of maintaining their buildings, which serve as reminders of those who served.
"For me, it's important to remember the people, especially young ones, who went off in the First World War, Second World War and some in Afghanistan, and who gave up their life for our country," he said.
In a statement to CBC News, Veterans Affairs Canada said that temporary funding was made available to legions across the country in 2020, as part of relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that "Veterans Affairs Canada does not have a mechanism to fund operational expenditures through its programs."
Looking to preserve a piece of history
Members at the Pointe-Saint-Charles legion will hold a bake sale to raise funds on Dec. 15, and will continue to look for corporate sponsors to fund the repairs. Keyes is hopeful that work could begin in the spring, if enough money is raised over the winter.
"This time of year, we realize it's tough. There are so many very legitimate causes for people to donate money to. So someone might say, you know, a roof at a legion, how important is that?"
"Well, it's important to us, and I think it's important to the community," he said. "Here in the Pointe, the legion has been around since 1948, and it has done its fair share for the community, in addition to supporting veterans."
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