The Royal Canadian Legion Sarnia Branch 62 has injected more than half a million dollars back into the community, distributing $506,000 to 35 different local non-profits and community organizations this week. The massive donation was made possible by the branch’s wildly successful Catch the Ace lottery, which raised a total of $2.1 million this past […]
The Royal Canadian Legion Sarnia Branch 62 has injected more than half a million dollars back into the community, distributing $506,000 to 35 different local non-profits and community organizations this week.
The massive donation was made possible by the branch’s wildly successful Catch the Ace lottery, which raised a total of $2.1 million this past spring, underscoring a powerful current of community spirit and volunteer dedication.
“This donation is a direct result of the hard work and heart of our volunteers,” said Les Jones, President of the Sarnia Legion. “They are the backbone of everything we do. From selling tickets to organizing events and keeping our operations running smoothly, their dedication is nothing short of inspiring.”
The largest single donation, $50,000, was given to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 216 in Petrolia to support its vital accessibility upgrades, ensuring the facility can continue to serve its members and the community.
The funds will touch nearly every corner of Sarnia-Lambton. A dozen organizations—including the Bluewater Health Foundation, Sarnia-Lambton Rebound’s youth hub, Habitat for Humanity, and the River City Vineyard—each received $20,000. The donations support a wide spectrum of local needs, from healthcare and housing to youth services and food security.
Another seventeen groups received $10,000 each, including St. Joseph's Hospice, The Inn of the Good Shepherd, Noelle's Gift to Children, and the Sarnia Legion’s own Veteran Homeless Fund. Smaller but crucial donations were also made to local animal welfare groups, such as the Lambton Cat Rescue and Heaven's Wildlife Rescue.
The overwhelming success of the lottery and the subsequent scale of the donations were not lost on the Legion’s leadership, who extended deep gratitude to the residents of Sarnia-Lambton.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity and spirit of this community,” Jones added. “Every ticket purchased helped us reach this goal. Thank you for showing up, for believing in what we do, and for helping us give back in such a meaningful way.”
