Coming out of the pandemic has been a real challenge for many businesses on Coast and a particularly different challenge for Gibsons Legion. As a volunteer organization, it was the volunteers who got the Legion through the last two COVID years. Special recognition goes out to Wilma Jones (past president), Carol Duff, and Dorothy Shaw along with many others who helped to sanitize and clean, rearranging their personal schedules to keep the Legion open and operating when Provincial Health Rules allowed openings.
In May 2022, there were further complications when the majority of the executive left causing the need for a special election to elect a full executive, who took office on June 1. Luckily there were people who stepped up and filled the executive, allowing the Legion to continue meeting its purpose in supporting veterans, families and seniors. Still faced with challenges for volunteers, things are starting to turn to the better with entertainment starting up again.
Our dance floor is back with music and entertainment scheduled through to September. Tuesday lunches and Friday dinners have continued although some have been cancelled due to lack of volunteers. To address this, the Legion is hoping to hire someone to run the kitchen, provide for a regular menu while working with volunteers to still provide a value meal for Tuesday lunches and Friday dinners.
Other challenges include the competing venues catering to a slightly different clientele. The Legion is trying to stay a vial business at the same time as meeting our purpose.
While other venues are in a better situation operating their businesses, the Legion, as a non-profit, still relies on patrons to support it through the Saturday and Sunday meat draws and Saturday entertainment.
As one facility with a good size hall for rentals and a dance floor, everyone is welcome and anyone can join the Legion.
