Feds contribute more than $10K to fund local Legion

NEWS RELEASE
TERRY SHEEHAN, MP SAULT STE. MARIE
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Today, MP Terry Sheehan, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, minister of veterans affairs and associate minister of national defence, announced $10, 845 in funding from the Government of Canada to support the Sault Ste. Marie Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25. This funding will assist with their operational costs during the COVID-19 pandemic so they can continue providing important support for veterans.

The Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund is part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to protect jobs, provide emergency support and keep businesses afloat through the pandemic. Our local Legion plays a critical role in the well-being of Veterans, their families and the community.

In November, the Government of Canada provided $14 million to the Royal Canadian Legion’s Dominion Command to allow for the rapid distribution of financial aid to individual branches across the country. Dominion Command was responsible for determining which branches would receive funding.

Organizations receiving these funds will have access to the support they need to replace charitable and other revenue lost because of the pandemic, and will be able to continue their work with Veterans and their families during a time when it is needed most.

Quotes:
“The global COVID-19 pandemic has left no one unaffected. Our veteran support agencies highlighted the need for increased supports during the pandemic and we rapidly responded by creating the Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund. I want to thank everyone at Legion Branch 25 for their continued hard work in ensuring veterans are supported during this challenging time.” - Terry Sheehan, member of Parliament, Sault Ste. Marie and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Economic Development (FedNor) and Official Languages

“Branch 25 was fortunate to be among the recipients of the Veterans Organization Support Funding. These dollars will go to really good use to keep our building operating for our Veterans and Members. Since our poppy tagging and calendar sales dollars go into specific trust funds and cannot be used for general maintenance and upkeep of the building this $10,000 will go to very good use and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time what with our extended lock down. We would like to thank the Government of Canada and Terry Sheehan, MP for thinking of Service groups in this way. It is much appreciated.“ - Helen Stewart, president, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25

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