ANAF Unit 265 St. Marys invites locals to come check them out

St. Marys Army & Navy Unit 265 is located at 23 Wellington St. N.

By Wendy Lamond

One of the gems we are honoured to have in our town is the Army, Navy & Air Force (ANAF) Unit 265, located at 23 Wellington St.

The organization, which was founded in 1840, is the oldest service charter in Canada. It is a non-profit Canadian, ex-service veterans’ organization with memberships that includes members of the military, RCMP, police, relatives or any other interested people.

The club holds many fundraising events and is encouraging the public to come check it out. With changing times and fundraising efforts becoming more difficult, our local clubs need our community more than ever.

The club works hard to fundraise with donations going to Parkwood Veterans Hospital along with local hospitals, minor sports including hockey, ringette and baseball, families in need, local food drives and several other community charities.

The ANAF holds a meat draw every Friday at 6 p.m. Some other events locals may be familiar with are the Bavarian Beer Gardens on Stonetown Heritage weekend that features local musicians, a chicken-dinner fundraiser, the Bob Lince golf tournament and their fall pickerel fish fry.

They not only fundraise but like to enjoy fellowship as well and offer activities like cards, darts and pool, which are open to everyone.

The ANAF also sells sausage on a bun from 12-1 p.m. on Thursdays.

Trying out new places and meeting new people can help self-esteem, combat feelings of loneliness, make long-lasting memories and there may even be some fun to be had, too.

For more information on ANAF Unit 265 events, call 519-284-4390 or email anaf265.stmarys@gmail.com.

Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday 12-5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 12 p.m. to close depending on scheduled events, and Sunday from 12-5 p.m.