By Mike Anderson
It’s a busy Friday night at the Sutton Legion on East Street. Most people are here for the popular Friday night dinner, lining up early for delicious homemade-style Lasagna, garlic bread and Caesar salad.
While folks enjoy their dinner, Sheldon Sumners, president of Branch 356, goes table to table selling tickets for the meat roll, this time it’s a smoked ham for Easter, and the 50/50 draw.
But it’s not just about selling tickets; he’s also the branch’s ambassador, welcoming new members and making sure they’re enjoying themselves.
Sumners understands that if the Legion is to survive and thrive, it must attract new members.
“We’re in a rebuilding phase. And new blood will bring in new ideas and help us reinvigorate the branch,” said Sumners.
“We are also looking for new volunteers to help us with our programs and activities.”
“So far, we are up to 475 members, and of that, 130 are new members this year. My goal in 2026 is 300 new members, but based on the first two months, I’m hoping to get more.”
The membership drive is getting a helping hand from the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year by waiving its annual membership fee – a savings of $60 to $65, depending on the branch.
“It is our 100th anniversary this year. What’s even more interesting is that the Sutton Legion is also celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. So it’s double for our branch, which is very special,” Sumners said.
The Royal Canadian Legion oversees 1,350 branches across the country, and Ontario Command is responsible for more than 400 branches, the largest concentration in Canada.
However, since 2020, between 40 and 50 Ontario branches have either closed permanently or become dormant. The reasons are varied: an over-reliance on bar revenues, high capital, insurance and utility costs, and an aging membership.
The RCL was founded in 1926 to support tens of thousands of veterans who returned from World War I. Its core mission was to advocate for veterans (pensions and healthcare), provide mutual aid and camaraderie, and ensure that the sacrifices of veterans were remembered.
Sumners says the mission is still front and centre, but with many veterans having passed, the Legion is evolving.
“The first purpose of the Legion is to support the veterans. After that, it’s community service,” he said.
“We just allowed Hospice Georgina to hold a fundraising dinner in our hall, and we didn’t charge them for that. So, we help organizations like that by giving them access to our branch.”
Sumners says it’s important that people realize the Legion is not the same old-boys club it was years ago.
“It’s not about drinking anymore. Yes, we have a bar. But the Legion is not about that. It’s about our community and supporting our community,” he said.
He also points out that the Legion has many activities that new members can enjoy.
“Every Wednesday night, we have a dart league. There’s also cribbage. And, sports like golf and horseshoes are played in the summer. We also have a Ladies Auxiliary that hosts different events. We’re actually working on putting together a Sunday High Tea.”
“The branch hosts a Halloween dance, Breakfast with Santa, and last year’s NYE party was incredible; we had a record turnout. We want to make this a place to meet people and have a good time.’
But while Sumners is working to make the branch more welcoming, inclusive, and fun, he expects new members to renew their membership next year and support the Legion’s core mission.
“We have to remember we are here to support the veterans. We support them locally, regionally and nationally with our dues,” he said.
“So by being a new member, as we move forward, your dues go to support veterans and veterans’ initiatives, things like funding for support dogs, and help with groceries, rent and medical bills.”
“Many of our veterans don’t have the income to support themselves. We do whatever we can to help them. And, so more members means more help and more resources for our veterans.”
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