Valentine’s Day was extra special this year for the 84 people who purchased tickets to Italian Night hosted by the Wakaw Legion. The $12.50 ticket paid for a sit-down meal served by Legion volunteers. It was truly an evening to relax and enjoy as the only thing the patrons had to do for themselves was to get some wine if they so chose. To add to the fun of the evening local businesses donated gifts which the attendees could win through purchasing darts to throw. As well a huge basket of treats was raffled off with the winner being a very lucky young man from Saskatoon, Aiden Buettner, the grandson of Bob and Darlene Antoshkew. All in attendance would agree that it was an evening of great food and great fun and the Legion sends out a big thank you to all who helped in any way, and especially the Wakaw business community. President Jack Jones, complimented the local businesses saying they always come through.
The money raised by this and all other fundraisers held by the Legion go into the Local’s general fund. The general fund is the money the Legion uses to keep the building in shape and to contribute to helping enrich the community. The Legion building itself is ‘of an advanced age’ and as such, needs a little tender loving care every now and then, but recently the members have been undertaking renovations to make the building wheelchair accessible. In the last couple years, the kitchen was renovated, and a new door was installed to meet that need. The new step and ramp that was to be installed last fall, fell victim to the uncooperative harvest weather, but this will be finished this spring. The bathrooms as well received attention.Â
As with many Legion’s, the Wakaw Legion is facing the challenge of declining numbers. There are currently 54 members on the books. Although some people believe that only former or current members of the military and their immediate families can be members of the Legion, this is far from the case. There are four different categories of membership: ordinary membership includes the expected retired and still serving military members, reservists, RCMP, police officers and the Coast Guard; associate membership which includes parents, spouses, widows or widowers, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces or nephews of someone who either was or is eligible for the Ordinary membership; affiliate voting membership is open to any 18 year of age or older Canadian citizen or Commonwealth subject from an Allied nation who supports the aims and objectives of the Legion; and finally affiliate non-voting membership is available for individuals 18 years of age and older who is not a Canadian citizen nor a Commonwealth subject but is from an Allied nation who supports the Legion’s aims and objectives. The Wakaw Legion holds monthly meetings the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30. If you are interested give any of the Legion members a call and see if you can attend a meeting as a guest. The next big fundraiser is their Meat Draw so watch for the tickets to be available very soon and keep in mind their annual spring garage sale.
Carol Baldwin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Wakaw Recorder
