The Ladies' Auxiliary of Gibsons Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 109 celebrated its 80th anniversary last Sunday, Nov. 3.
"We're the fourth oldest L.A. in B.C.," president Lera Schwindt told the 40 assembled guests. Many former and current members attended, some in uniform, to meet old friends and share cake and coffee.
Karen Crashley, president to the Auxiliary's BC and Yukon Command, explained to Coast Reporter that there were only two L.A.s remaining on the Sunshine Coast: Gibsons and Powell River.
Crashley awarded Gibsons a certificate of recognition for their long service. Although none were alive from when the Auxiliary started on Feb. 23, 1933, a long-serving member, Sue Wiggins, 97, was honoured at the head table for her role. Wiggins joined after her move to Gibsons in 1982. She performed the roles of secretary and treasurer for a few years and kept returning to these posts when others stepped down.
The Ladies' Auxiliary is the fundraiser for a Legion's branch.
"They hold bake sales, meat draws and do catering," Crashley said. "Each area is a little different in their activities."
Wiggins recalls that in the early days after an event, every dish was washed by hand by the volunteers and it was a big day when the new dishwashing machine arrived. The Auxiliary now includes a few men who also stay busy in the kitchen.
The anniversary celebration followed a formal meeting of the Ladies' Auxiliary at which they voted to present Branch No. 109 with a cheque for $5,000.
Accepting for the branch, president Arnie Grant said, "It's beyond belief how much effort you put into keeping the place going. We can put this money to good use right now."
Many members of the Auxiliary will again be attending at the Legion for the Nov. 11 Remembrance Day service.
