Goderich Legion Branch talks about holiday offerings and the upcoming renovation project

A free Christmas dinner, New Year's Eve dances and a 2026 renovation project are marked on the legion’s schedule to accommodate community needs. 

A Home for the Holidays event will take place at the Goderich Legion Branch on December 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., hosted by local restaurant, Steve and Mary's on the Square. This free event is a drop-in dinner for anyone in need of a Christmas meal.

Steve and Mary's on the Square will also be collecting donations of non-perishable food items, hygiene products and toys to fill hampers. All donations can be dropped off at the restaurant at 58 Courthouse Square.  

Randy Carroll, Legion President, said that the A Home for the Holidays event fed 220 families last year.

Towards the end of December, the Legion will host a New Year’s Eve Dance and a New Year’s Levee on the following day. 

“Serving the community is a big part of our focus,” said Carroll.

“We don’t just care for veterans and their families, we also want to make sure we have a space that’s open, welcoming, and filled with opportunities for people to socialize and have fun. It’s a wonderful place to sit back, relax, and meet new friends, and that sense of connection is what really makes it special.”

Coming in January, the Legion will go through a month-long major renovation project. Carroll said that the $100,000 project will vastly improve the building's functionalities. 

With the vision of it looking like a new building, Carroll said that the Legion’s Jubilee Hall will have a complete makeover, with flooring reworked as well as more cost-efficient lighting. 

“We’re really excited about the upcoming renovation; it’s something the building has needed for a long time,” said Carroll.

“Starting with the Jubilee Room, we’re giving the space a full refresh to make it brighter, more modern, and more inviting. It’s going to feel like a brand-new building. We want it to be a place people are proud to visit, rent out, and enjoy as part of the community.”

On top of the holiday and New Year’s events, the Legion currently runs its daily Cafe 109 program, a book club running every second Monday of the month, as well as darts, karaoke, meat draws, and technology workshops for seniors.