Another $15,000 from Ladies Auxiliary to support track rebuild project

Goderich Ladies Auxiliary made another donation to the Goderich Track Rebuild Project. This donation was a generous $15,000. (Back row, L-R): Doug Cruickshank, Track Rebuild Committee, Judy Austin, Cecilia Faulker, Teri Lamb, Mary Sturdy, Dorothy McCarnen, Bev Yeo, Elaine Munn. (Front row, L-R): Dianne Leddy, Susan Harman, Liz Black-Petrie, Velma Young, First VP.

Goderich Legion Ladies Auxiliary recently made another generous donation to the Goderich Track Rebuild project.

On June 25 the Ladies Auxiliary donated $15,000 to the track rebuild committee. This major donation is in addition to a previous donation of $10,000.

“This is by far our biggest donation that I am aware of,” said Liz Petrie, Ladies Auxiliary.

“The sentiment from the women is that we have the money, and our support is required.”

The Ladies Auxiliary is a volunteer organization of women that is affiliated with Branch 109 Goderich Legion and assists the branch with functions when required and supports the veterans in the area.

The Ladies Auxiliary is always giving back to the community they serve by holding fundraising activities – soup and sandwich, meat pie sales and Christmas cake sales.

The initial donation of $10,000 was given months ago by the Ladies Auxiliary to the track committee. After a few months, a suggestion was brought forward to provide more money.

Each discussion provided supportive feedback and was voted unanimously to continue to support this initiative.

According to Petrie, when the track committee reached out to the Ladies Auxiliary to inquire if the group would be interested in a presentation, they agreed.

Several of the members reminisced about using the track over the years for school events or fundraising events such as the Relay for Life.

“Everyone has a memory of the track, and we felt it was necessary to support,” explained Petrie.

“It is not just used for school purposes and many of our members use the track to walk around with friends or family when able to do so. It is an integral part of our community at large that we know needs to be refurbished for all to use.”

According to Petrie, the funds used to make such a generous donation are not only from fundraising efforts but from funds that have been donated to the Ladies Auxiliary over the years.

Throughout the year the Ladies Auxiliary supports a wide range of initiatives and projects throughout the community. This includes supporting veterans, sporting groups, schools, and the Air Cadets.

The ladies also donate money back to the Branch 109 when possible.

This year, the ladies assisted with the purchase of a new air conditioner at Branch 109, and are supporting with financial contributions to the Building Fund for renovations of the Branch 109 building.

Last year the ladies partnered with St. Vincent de Paul to assist vulnerable seniors in the community by providing monthly items like gift cards, gas money, grocery money or money to assist paying bills.

In the next six months, the ladies will be supporting the Goderich Free Little Pantry by providing monthly food donations.

“Our donations to the community are taken very seriously and we have robust conversations when suggestions are brought forward,” added Petrie.

“We are thrilled to be able to donate the $25,000 total to the Track Rebuild as it is an integral part of our community, providing exercise, fresh air, and comradery for our entire community.”

Currently, there are approximately 100 members of the Ladies Auxiliary, and the group is always looking for new members.