‘An amazing place’: What’s behind success of Canada’s largest Legion

(CTV News)

While some Royal Canadian Legion branches across the country struggle to stay open, dealing with aging facilities and declining membership, that trend in other areas may be reversing, including one branch in British Columbia proving there’s still a bright future for the organization.

The Maple Ridge Legion, Canada’s largest branch with more than 2,600 members, is thriving. Its leadership credits strong community support, sound financial planning and a focus on connection. “I can’t really put my finger on it,” said Branch 88 President Al Casswell. “Other than a good bunch of people with big hearts that want to help the veterans, help the veterans’ families and help the community that we all live in – and it works.”

On a recent bingo night, the hall was packed. Dozens of members sat shoulder-to-shoulder, dabbing numbers on their cards and enjoying the chance to socialize in a safe, welcoming space.

For regulars and volunteers, the legion is a second home. “It’s an amazing place. It’s a beautiful building,” said Judith Ballard, past president of the branch.

“I’ve always felt very comfortable and very safe in here to come in all by myself and have a have a glass of wine, a dinner, or meet with friends,” added Lynda McEwan, the chair of the branch’s membership committee.

Beyond the bingo, karaoke, dances, and classic meat draws, the branch plays a critical role in supporting veterans and seniors in the community.

Decades ago, the Maple Ridge Legion built two housing developments on partially donated land. Those projects now provide hundreds of below-market-rate homes for veterans and seniors – part of the equation that’s added up to the branch holding assets estimated at around $50 million.

“We had some great executive members who were forward-thinking,” said Steve Jeske, the legion’s New Westminster & District Zone Commander. “When I got there over 30 years ago, there was people in place that knew what they were doing,” added Casswell.

That foundation has helped the branch weather financial challenges, especially post-pandemic, that have forced some legions elsewhere to close their doors.

Jeske says membership overall in the province is growing, and the Legion’s national headquarters says it is seeing the same trend at branches right across the country, as many work to diversify. “Some innovative models are starting to pop up around the country,” said Nujma Bond, national spokesperson for the legion.

“You have that model where you have help available at a branch, you might also have some support services in-house at that location, and also in some cases, you have a residence and the possibility of staying there.”

Members in Maple Ridge are incredibly grateful for the place they can count on. “When people are widows or widowers, where do you go?” asked Ballard. “You can’t just go to a bar. Where do you meet people? Well, you come to the legion, and you can meet all sorts of people here.”