Woodstock Legion calls for volunteers to keep doors open

Rob Gable, second vice president, poses inside The Royal Canadian Legion in Woodstock. The organization is looking to attract more volunteers. (Alex Hunt Photo)

Alex Hunt, Echo Contributor

Woodstock’s Royal Canadian Legion is calling on the community to step up as volunteers, saying just two dozen dedicated helpers keep the branch running.

“In my generation, we were taught to get out and volunteer, to support the veterans,” said Legion President Gary Moon. “That sense of duty has been lost over the generations.”

He added, nowadays, things are just different.

“When I was growing up, I was very aware of Remembrance Day and the importance of veterans. It was still a significant part of my school experience, but today, it’s not taught as much, and that awareness has really filtered out. It’s sad to see.”

Rob Gable, the Legion’s second vice president, said younger veterans often bring different attitudes to the organization, with many wanting to join and immediately change how things are done. He added the approach can clash with long-standing traditions but efforts are being made to blend the experience of older members with new ideas. Some of the younger men and women who served in places like Africa and Afghanistan leave when their expectations aren’t met.

Along with these challenges, the Legion is also facing a decline in its volunteer base, as many longtime members are aging out and no longer able to contribute as they once did. Kelly-Ann VanMarrum, the Legion’s office manager, said the remaining volunteers are feeling exhausted and are appealing for greater support from the community.

“I try to do my best to get people involved and out here. We show them what our programs are doing in the hope that someone who’s never been in the Legion will step up and say, maybe I want to see what this is all about. Maybe I should join and start supporting these things.”

Those interested do not need a service number to apply.

“Anyone can apply, we review it at the executive meeting, get approval from the membership, and you can become a member. Hopefully, once more people join, they will want to dig in and give us some help,” she added.

Moon said that most Legions across Canada, including those in the Woodstock area, are struggling to stay open amid declining participation, reduced community support, and ongoing funding challenges. He explained that local branches continue to recruit new members and organize different activities to spark interest, but membership has steadily declined over the years. At one time, the Woodstock branch had about 800 members; today, that number has dropped significantly.

“We're just over the 300 mark right now. But also, our problem is getting those members to come in and volunteer,” said Moon. “Our volunteers that do help out, they're exhausted because it's the same volunteers over and over and over again.”

The Woodstock Legion has repeatedly struggled to secure government grants and other funding. When the branch tried to receive support for an elevator connecting the ground floor to the upper banquet hall, they were not successful and were forced to use their own funds.

Although classified as a non-profit, the organization faces strict eligibility requirements for grants, including a breakdown of costs, timelines, and the age of equipment. Applications are often denied despite extensive documentation, leaving the Legion to rely on internal resources and fundraising to cover expenses.

“It’s very stressful, from late September through mid-May, we can generally hold our own on everything, but once summer hits and everyone starts taking holidays, the place feels empty and income drops drastically,” said VanMarrum.

“That’s when you really have to scratch your head and figure out what gets paid first. There were times when the branch had a cushion of money, but that was long gone after we spent it on the elevator system and other projects. Even when I try to plan carefully, you never know if the money will be there, and it’s a constant challenge,” she added.

Volunteering at the Legion is about more than keeping the doors open. For VanMarrum, it’s a way to give back and support others by helping with events and programs. It allows her to make a meaningful contribution through selfless acts that bring personal satisfaction.

Gable said the Legion’s activities rely on volunteers, many of whom are not even members.

“Some step forward because they remember a grandfather or father who served and want to donate a few hours of their time. Others help with tasks like delivering and refilling poppy boxes at local stores. These contributions are purely charitable, aimed at supporting the remembrance of veterans and ensuring the success of the annual Poppy Drive.”