Branch Activities News and Updates

“October had tremendous possibility. The summer's oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.” Sarah Guillory, 'Reclaimed'

Greetings to all

Ongoing

• • Early Bird renewal campaign

  • Door prize - fundraisers

    1. Savage 110 Trail Hunter Rifle

  • New lotto - Fortunato - Lottery – Fortunato 5® – Ontario Legion 

  • Poppy volunteers  - We need volunteers to stand at store fronts in our area between 24 Oct - 8 Nov. Please email 496membership@gmail.com if you are able to assist. 

  • Branch Sports - sign up and play

  • Legion Win Big Giveaway

  • Youth Literacy contest

  • Branch hall available to rent - non-members can also rent the hall

  • Volunteers needed for maintenance projects around the Branch. Projects tackled as needed

  • Membership - 2027 Membership renewal and earlybird stickers are available at the bar. 

Weekly

• • Crokinole - Thursdays at 2-5pm, (organized by the Crokinole Group)

  • Yoga upstairs hall (visit Yoga Now for details)

  • Line Dancing - Thursdays 630pm - (organized by Legion member)

  • Meat Spins - Saturdays 3pm

  • Mixed open darts - Wednesdays 7pm - STARTS 21 October

  • Charity Radio Bingo (CJAI) - Thursday 6pm STARTS SOON

Activities and Events

• 5 November - Veteran's Week

• 7 November - Service for Comrade Nigel Haynes

• 11 November - Remembrance Day activities - link

• 14 November - Ladies (Fun) Night - SOLD OUT

• 14 November - Live Music at fun night - Scott Owen🎶🎸🎼🎶

• 29 November - LA Craft Fair & Bake Sale

• 31 December - New Years Eve dance (poster to follow)

• 1 January - Levee (downstairs) (poster to follow)

Keeping up to date

Calendar PDFs - November December

Link to online calendar

Google site: - Branch 496 Members 

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/sydenhamlegion

Zone information: Zone G1 

Monthly email sent to members

Next Executive and General Meeting

• 22 November 2026

• Copies of minutes are by the door as you come into the downstairs lounge. Members can view anytime. If you would like to review the draft minutes in advance of a meeting you may email 496membership@gmail.com 

NEW news from the Legion

• Legion officially named the country’s National Silver Cross Mother. Her name is Virginia Hicks, and she lives in a small community called Frankford, ON. She was born in Trenton, ON and also served in the Canadian Armed Forces. 

  1. Legion announcement

  2. CTV News

  3. CBC News 

• Legion 100 History

  1. article English   French 

  2. First Poppy 

  3. Facebook  English     French

  4. Don't Forget to Remember/Tap-on-phone campaign launch 

• Global news Crystal interview

Facilities

• Downstairs lounge with pool tables, dart board, shuffleboard, jukebox, WIFI, TVs and space to play cards.  

• Fully accessible upstairs hall with WIFI, bar, functional kitchen and stage area available to rent at reasonable rates. On occasion, downstairs area can be rented as well. 

• Fundraising activities to maintain a good level of support where needed. 

• Non-Members are welcome for open events and activities. 

Who was Bob Richardson

General News and Updates the Legion

• Scams Poppy Fraud

• Soldiers in Tech poster - email

• The Remembrance Mural 

• Reminder to update - ceremony locator https://www.legion.ca/remembrance/remembrance-day/remembrance-day-ceremonies 

• Command update on Wainwright Tragedy

• Poppy fund info related to Wainwright Tragedy

• Update on MSRB

• Peer Support workshops for Ontario Veterans and the family members. https://mdsc.ca/support-for-veterans-their-family-members/peer-support-training-programs/ 

• New coin - Remembrance Day – 1 oz. Fine Silver Coin (2026) | The Royal Canadian Mint     -poster

• 2026 Track and field photos are located at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6Uav 

• update on the Homeless Veterans Program as of October 1, 2026...

• Veterans: +12 new Veterans | Total: 1,421

• Females: +8 new females | Total: 175

• Families: +5 new families | Total: 110

• Towns: +3 new towns | Total: 228

• Member Services Update 

• National HQ Info on:

  • 1. Important dates

    2. Centenary Campaign results

    3. Don't forget to remember program

    4. New Poppy donation app

    5. CAF Indigenous Poppy

    6. 50th Convention survey results

• Updates on MSRB - call for assistance 

  • 1. MSRB totals

    2. Comparison report

    3. Submissions

• Press Release - Presentation of the First Poppy

• Email re - contacting veterans for survey thru VAC on behalf of the Women and Diversity Health. 

• Info on a new way to accept contactless donations

• Info on Trillium Grants

• If you have ordered some Legion 100 tulips, the shipping process to individuals has started as of 21 September 2026

• Here are two great articles on Centenary Membership and Ruck to Remember.   Feel free to share widely.

  • 1. https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/royal-canadian-legion-sees-surge-in-membership-during-its-centennial-year/  

    2. https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/ruck-2-remember-rucking-across-region-to-combat-veteran-homelessness/  

• Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility | ontario.ca for those who are interested

• CFMWS info and activites for Veterans

  1. VFP Monthly Walking Group

     1. 15 October

     2. 19 November

     3. 17 December

  2. Veteran's Caregiver's Evening - 19 Nov 2026

  3. Beyond the Uniform 12 Jan 2027

  4. email - veterans@kmfrc.com

• Email on a Van for Cam - fundraiser outside our area but Cam’s parents are veterans

• Email for a reminder on Hero ridge where a deserving veteran may be nominated to use the Hero’s Ridge box suite at the Canadian Tire Centre, includes 8 box seat tickets and 2 parking passes. 

• PRO updates: 

  • Info on Portraits of an Icon

    • Images,  - Images - Images

• Zone email

  • email re CF donation

    • CF donation letter

• Sharing from Br 496

  • Article about Bob's visits HMCS Haida

• Poppy Campaign will run from 24 October to 11 November each year for standardization.

• Veteran shares

• 100th Ceremony Video

• Info on Military Veterans Wellness Program

Support for Veterans - (link)

Affiliated organizations - (link)

• Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research

• Veterans Transition Network

• VETS Canada – Veterans Emergency Transition Services

• Wounded Warriors Canada

• Canadian Forces Morale & Welfare Services

• Commissionaires

• The Burns Way

• Office of the Veterans Ombud

• Heart to Home Meals

• Operation Canada Day / Operation Santa Claus

• Veteran Support Partnership Program

Members: 

Memberperks

Member Benefits Package

Poppy Store