Sarnia's Royal Canadian Legion is celebrating its 100th year of supporting veterans and the community.
Branch 62 President Les Jones said it's great to see the organization thrive.
"This particular branch will be 100 years old as of the ninth of November. As a veteran, it's awesome to see an organization that supports veterans, (and) has been helping veterans in this community for the last 100 years," said Jones "Being the president during the hundredth celebration, it's an honour, and we're hoping that with the events that we have planned for the new year, that we make the Legion proud."
The Royal Canadian Legion was founded in November of 1925 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Sarnia Legion was founded just a year later.
Branch 62 supports Sarnia-Lambton in various ways, including hosting a yearly track and field event and sponsoring local hockey teams.
"We support cadet programs. We also support a track and field event that the Legion holds right up to the national level, and there have been a number of young athletes that have taken part in track and field with the Legion that end up at the Olympics." said Jones. "In the last year, with our catch the ace, we were able to donate just over half a million dollars to Lambton County. We felt it very important to keep that money locally."
The remaining funds from the Catch the Ace Lottery were allocated to upgrading the Legion's Front Street location including accessibility improvements, new heating and air conditioning and a new wheelchair accessible outdoor patio.
Through the lottery and other fundraisers the Legion paid out over $1.27 million to local winners, and over $1.05 million to area charities and groups.
Sarnia Branch 62's official birthday isn't until November 9, but there are several events planned throughout 2026 to celebrate the milestone, including special anniversary events and galas, limited edition centenary memorabilia, and a community celebration to honour the Legion's past while also celebrating the future.
Further details about the planned events will be released at a later date.
The Sarnia Legion Branch 62 has about 650 members.
