Following a recent threat of closure, the Fernie branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will remain open for business.
Due to a serious lack of volunteers, the Fernie Legion was in jeopardy, and without enough help from the public, the branch was forced to consider shutting down.
“The Legion depends on volunteers, it totally depends on them,” explained Terry Rimmer, Fernie Legion President. “You can’t have six people doing everything, there’s a lot to do.
“It was getting to the point where it was becoming a chore. We needed people to help out. We were beginning to get burned out.”
The Legion held a special public meeting on November 9 in the hopes of garnering enough new volunteers to keep their doors open.
‘There must have been 50 people there who were all concerned that the Legion could close,” commented Rimmer. “A lot of people put their names out to volunteer. I think the threat of a shutdown had to occur so that people knew we were serious, and that we just couldn’t carry on as we were.”
He added, “It looks like if they are committed, that it will be a lot better for us.”
The Fernie Legion supports a number of community groups, including the Salvation Army, Elk Valley Hospital Foundation, Cadets, Camp Shiloh, Spinoza Bears for ill children, as well as sports programs at local schools.
Rimmer remarked, “Closing would have been a huge loss to this town. It’s been resolved I’m glad to say and it will be business as normal.”
While around 20 community members have stepped up and signed on to volunteer, Rimmer said the Legion is always looking for more help.
“We never have enough,” he remarked. “Even just one hour a week. You can’t image how much help for one hour a week takes the pressure off of us, because it’s one hour we don’t have to do.”
For information on becoming a member, making a donation, or volunteering, contact 250-423-6218.