Moose Jaw’s legion launched a major fundraiser this spring to help support its mission of serving veterans, and after nearly six months, that fundraiser is coming to an end.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 59 kicked off its inaugural money raffle on April 21 and set the end date of Saturday, Oct. 28.
For people who could use a few extra bucks in their pocket, first prize is $10,000, second prize is $3,000, third prize is $2,000, fourth prize is $1,500, fifth prize is $1,000 and 10th prize is $500.
Tickets are $20 each, while the legion has printed only 2,000 tickets. Selling every ticket would generate $40,000, with half going toward prizes and half supporting the legion’s daily operations, building upgrades, and veteran-focused initiatives.
Residents can purchase tickets from the office at 268 High Street West or by calling 306-692-5453 or from the lounge downstairs or by calling 306-693-9688. Credit cards and cash are accepted.
The legion will also be at Canadian Tire every Saturday from Sept. 23 to Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. selling tickets and at the Co-op grocery store on Tuesdays on Sept. 26 and 27 and Oct. 17 and 24.
“So far, it’s going pretty good. It’s been very well received,” said Roy LaBuick, past president and fundraiser spokesman. “We’re pleased with the results. We’re hoping that something like this can become an annual fundraiser for the legion … .
“Maybe in the years to come, as it grows, the prizes grow as well.”
Legion members attended the Little Chicago Show and Shine on Sept. 16 and sold many tickets to people checking out the hundreds of vehicles on display downtown, he continued. With fewer tickets now available, anyone who wants a ticket must buy one soon — either individually or with friends.
LaBuick explained that the organization pursued the fundraiser after a member suggested the idea and discussed how it worked. Executive members reviewed the idea and thought it would be worth exploring.
“We have our big Canada Day event, which is a good event, but we really never had another fundraiser like this where we thought we could make it a yearly thing … . We loved the idea (and) we started running with it,” he said.
“It’s kind of nice to have members that are looking out for the branch (and offering) different ideas of trying to raise some funds.”
The legion’s Canada Day Cabaret committee met and learned the fundraiser went better than expected, as it raised roughly $14,000, LaBuick continued. Meanwhile, the committee is currently booking next year’s band and organizing the event.
The past president noted that after the cabaret concluded, other bands began reaching out to the legion, wanting to perform because they liked the organization’s efforts to support veterans.
“You know you gotta be doing something right if they’re phoning you saying, ‘We want to come play at your (fundraiser),’” LaBuick said. “That’s a heckuva compliment, in my opinion.”
Lest we forget
It will be November in a few months, so the legion has begun preparations for this year’s poppy campaign and Remembrance Day ceremony, said LaBuick. The organization will strictly use all poppy sales to support veterans who live in the Moose Jaw area.
“At the end of the day, the legion is there to always help our veterans, no matter what,” he added. “We try and help them as much as we can … and try to keep an eye out to make sure that we haven’t missed any veterans. There’s a lot out there; it could happen.”
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