Volunteer Opportunities

FOR THE MEMBERS, BY THE MEMBERS 

A lot of functions at the Legion are served by volunteers, such as meat draws or game nights. It is a nice gesture to help out periodically, so we all get the chance to enjoy these events! Everyone is welcome to volunteer – please inquire with the staff or other volunteers if you wish assist. 

The Centennial Branch #285 relies fully on volunteers for conducting the weekly draws, sports programs and executive, Maintenance, Office support, website support, IT/computer support, front office workers, museum, making displays, photography, cleaning, November 11th Service, Breakfast for the field of Crosses, serving, picking up a veteran and driving them to the Branch, decorating, guest speakers at schools, Annual Poppy Campaign and, more.

BRANCH:

• We can always use more volunteers to help buss tables as well as set-up and clean-up when we’re busy in the Branch and for special events. It’s hard to find help these days and volunteers help keep a bit more money in the Legion coffers as we always seem to need it. 

• Volunteers work hard each week running the Front Office and trying to keep up with answering the phone, taking memberships, updating members’ emails and new address and phone numbers to try and keep track of each veteran and member in our Branch. 

• We also need volunteers to sell tickets for our weekly Liquor, Meat Draw, Chase the Ace, Goldbrick, Cash Draw as well as 50/50 at our dances.

• Are you creative? We also need volunteers to help decorate the Branch, seasonally.

Contact Comrade Colleen Weitz at volunteers@rcl285.ca

• Our building is always in need of repair or special assistance in just maintaining the Branch. Do you have skills with electrical, plumbing, computers, carpentry, gardening, snow removal, membership info and sales, parking lot cleanup or just general maintenance … your help is always appreciated. Just let us know what you might be willing to help us with.

Contact manager@rcl285.ca

CAR SHOW:

Every August, the Branch hosts a Car show on a Sunday. It is completely run by volunteers to help generate as much money for the Branch, as possible. This year's event was Sunday, August 13. See you next year!

• Volunteers are needed for "day of registration," setting up, taking down, parkers, ticket sellers (50-50, raffle, food), cooks, runners, food & pop table, raffle/silent auction security, Legion membership information and sales, garbage pick-up, crosswalk directors, water sellers, photography, organizing raffle and silent auction, waitress*, bartender*, Beertub sales*, (*Pro-serve certified)

Contact hoodsonhorton@rcl285.ca stating what position you would be willing to help with and how long you can help for. We start about 6:30 am and go full tilt until 4:30 pm. It's nice to have people for 3 or 4 hour shifts at the various areas but we surely welcome the all day volunteers, too.

Names will be gathered and an email sent to you about a week before the event advising the day and time for a coordination/assignment meeting (TBD). 

BINGO: 

• Our Branch volunteers at the Grey Eagle Bingo three or four times per month. We would like to thank all the volunteers who have come out to help. The Grey Eagle Bingo Hall has been hopping and our volunteers have been working very hard to make those sales. 

We don’t want our hard-working volunteers to burnout, so please consider stepping up for ONE shift! We like to have a few standby volunteers in case of a cancellation.

These bingos generate income for the Branch. Please watch our Facebook page for updates on supporting the Branch-sponsored Bingos.

If you have an interest in volunteering to assist with the Branch’s draws and raffles, contact:

Comrade Anne Lynch 403-815-3264

Comrade Wes Hurlbut weshurlbut@gmail.com

CASINO:

Approximately every 18 months, the Branch has a two-day fundraising casino Deerfoot Inn & Casino. The Casino nights provide our Legion with much needed financial support.

Thank you to all the volunteers that worked this year's Casino.

Coffee, snacks and dinner will be provided at no cost.

Free Onsite Parking.

2023 Coordinator Comrade Lucy Precul. 403-667-2756

OUTREACH:

We have been building a social media presence over the past couple of years. 

• Our volunteers update Facebook, Instagram and Google. They also prepare and send the weekly email. There is also digital signage in the Branch. Just this year, we launched our website. If you have any skillsets to help here, please contact:

Comrade Fiona Swanson outreach@rcl285.ca

The Branch is also proud to produce our bi-monthly newsletter, SKYline. 

• Do have writing, interviewing, graphic design skills … we could use your help? These volunteers also prepare the signage around the Branch for all our events.

Comrade Wendy Dypolt  skylinenews@rcl285.ca

POPPY CAMPAIGN:

There are well over 150 volunteers needed each year to raise money for the Annual Poppy Campaign. There are many opportunities to help.

• Wreath Sales, Can Sealers, Can Openers, Cash Counters, Area Captains, Taggers, School Captains, Runners, Speakers for Schools, Poppy Desk Sales, Clean up, Poster & Literary Contest Committee. 

• Specific details can be found on the Poppy Page LINK.

If you can help out before, after, or during the campaign, then don't hesitate to let Pat or Marie know.

Perhaps you could sign up with a friend and share the work?

Comrade Marie Illingworth, Poppy Chairperson: poppycampaign@rcl285.ca

Comrade Pat Lomenda, Poppy Co-Cordinator: plomenda@gmail.com 

COLOUR PARTY/HONOUR GUARD:

See the detailed information in this website. These are all volunteer opportunities, too.

Comrade Chris Atkinson, CD, Sgt-at-Arms: sgt-at-arms@rcl285.ca

EXECUTIVE:

Those that run the Branch are all volunteers! Elections are every two years. Visit the Executive page to see if one of the positions suit you. It’s YOUR Branch. Help Make a Difference! We will also need volunteers to run the Election next February.

Contact Comrade President Rob Danberger: president@rcl285.ca

What can YOU do for your Branch?
Discover your inner event maven! We've scoured the land for a brilliant Events Coordinator, but now we're thinking, why not YOU? Imagine being the mastermind behind A fantastic event, tailored just for you. Pick your passion, create unforgettable moments, and let your creativity run wild. From elegant book club soirées to thrilling whiskey tastings; the possibilities are endless.

You'll have the power to design the date, manage the budget, and be the go-to person for all things exciting for YOUR event. We'll guide you on space availability and budget options, while you take charge of making it extraordinary. We're also looking for a Lead Event Coordinator, who will steer the ship for our current and upcoming events. But it's your chance to become the change you've always wished to see in your branch and just one event at a time! Some pastimes, like walking, don't even cost anything; we just need the organizer!

Check out some of these enticing event ideas:

📚 Book Club

🕵️ Mystery Dinners

🍷 Wine Tastings

🥃 Whiskey Enthusiasts

🚶 Hiking Adventurers

🎭 Dinner Theatre Enthusiasts

🎬 Theatre Lovers

☯️ Tai Chi Devotees

🧘‍Yoga & Chair Yoga Enthusiasts

✈️ Travel Enthusiasts

🚶‍Walking Groups

🎞️ Movie Nights (we have a big screen)

🏈 Sport Team Nights

🎨 Painting Nights

🍽️ Dinner & a Show

📚 Information Sessions (Downsizing, Tax Prep, Fraud Prevention, Estate Planning, Technology Help)

🎳 Various Sport Leagues

☕ Coffee Connoisseurs

🎲 Board Game/Cards Aficionados

🎤 Karaoke Stars

🎷 Jazz Nights

🚗 Car Groups/Shows

🌍 Ethnic Dinner Nights

🎉 Special Events (New Year’s Eve, Robbie Burns, Valentine’s Day, Comedy Night, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Christmas Dinner, Kitchen Party, Beach Day & more)

OR WHATEVER YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO!

Join us and let's create magical experiences together.
Be the Champion for YOUR passion!

Submit YOUR name and ideas to bookings@rcl285.ca

and let's see what can happen!