Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29

November Smokehouse

President’s message

Remembrance Day – November 11

Good news! Our construction engineer has confirmed that Mechanic Street will not be under construction and that the site will be ready for our parade and celebration on November 11.

A Building Thermometer Gauge has been created and is now on display at the branch. This fundraising initiative aims to raise $100,000 to complete renovations to our Legion branch — and we’re proud to say we’ve already raised $13,000 to start!

Please help the Paris Non-Profit Legion continue to support our community. Funds raised by the Legion go directly back to local causes, including donations to the Veterans Hospital in Toronto and other community organizations.

At the last Legion convention (held in Burford), our area donated over $220,000 to help those in need.

One key project in our renovation is the installation of a lift to the second floor, which will make our branch more accessible and allow us to host multiple events at the same time.

Come see the thermometer display at the branch — I’ll be offering guided tours of the building for potential donors.

Barry Humphrey, President

Events

· Friday, November 7th – Trivia, 7-9 p.m.

· Saturday, November15th – Cancer Benefit. 12-9 p.m.

· Friday, November 21st – Trivia, 7-9 p.m.

Lottery Updates

· Elimination Draw: Friday, December 6 at 1:00 PM

· Early Bird Winner (October 4): Ticket #076 – Doris Sinclair ��

· Tickets: Going fast — almost sold out!

Poppy Campaign

The 2025 Poppy Campaign kicks off on October 31!

· Volunteer Tagging Days: November 7 and 8

o Sign-up list available at the branch.

· Wreath Placement: Begins at 10:00 AM for Veterans, Service Clubs, and Churches, followed by the 11:00 AM ceremony.

At 11:00 AM, wreaths will be placed on behalf of:

· Federal, Ontario, and County Governments

· Korean Veterans

· Hong Kong Veterans

· Canadian Forces

· Zone B2

· Branch 29

· OPP

· Firefighters

· Girl Guides, Scouts, and local schools

If you wish to march in the parade, please meet behind the Brant County Offices and check in with Comrade Mark Ford.

100th Anniversary Celebrations

We’re thrilled to share that eleven local community groups are now part of the 100^th Anniversary Poppy Project, bringing our total Poppy Count to 3,823!

Donna Campbell’s fiber art quilt continues its local tour and will be on display at the Legion from November 1–14. During this time, you can help name the quilt in honour of Remembrance Day. Next, the quilt will travel to the Paris Museum and Historical Society, where it will be featured alongside a display of local Legion history. The exhibit will remain open through the New Year — drop by to learn more about Branch 29 and our proud history of community service.

Thank You!

Your ongoing support helps keep our Legion strong and our community connected.

Every donation, volunteer hour, and shared story makes a difference.

Thank-A-Vet Luncheon Donation Request

Due to the fact that the donation request letters for the 2025 Thank-A-Vet Luncheon were mailed right before the postal strike, We wish to share the following information.

The 2025 Luncheon will be held on November 1 at the Warren Group / Cainsville Community Centre.

We hope that you will be able to support the Luncheon this year. If the postal strike continues, you can e-transfer your donation to admin@thank-a-vet.ca, drop it off at MP Larry Brock’s office at 108 St. George Street, Unit 3, or call me at 519-770-9314 and they will make arrangements to pick up your donation.

Dear Friends:
Twenty-eight years ago, the Thank-A-Vet Luncheon Committee began a
tradition of hosting veterans, their partners, widows and widowers of
veterans and Silver Cross Mothers from Brantford, Brant County, Six
Nations of the Grand and Mississaugas of the Credit at the Thank-A-Vet
Luncheon to show our sincere appreciation for their service to our great
country.
Plans are underway to host the Luncheon on Saturday, November 1,
2025 at the T.F. Warren / Cainsville Community Centre. Community
volunteers will serve a delicious lunch and a commemorative gift will be
given to every veteran and their partner, the widows and widowers of
veterans and Silver Cross Mothers.
For any veterans, widows and widowers of veterans and Silver
Cross Mothers who are unable to attend the Luncheon, the Thank-
A-Vet Committee will deliver a gift bag prior to Remembrance Day.
We are a registered charitable organization and tax receipts will be
issued for the full amount of your donation. In addition, you or your
company will be recognized in the Luncheon program and in an insert
that will be included in each delivered gift bag.
Enclosed please find a Donation Form. If you wish to assist with this
very worthy project, please forward a cheque or make an eTransfer as
detailed on the Donation Form. Due to rising costs for the luncheon
meals and veterans’ gifts, we have found it necessary to raise the
sponsorship amounts this year.
If you have questions, please contact Jayne Carman at 519-770-9314 or
by e-mail at admin@thank-a-vet.ca
On behalf of the Thank-A-Vet Luncheon Committee, thank you!

Dave Levac Bill Chopp
Co-Chairs,Thank-A-Vet Luncheon
Don’t Forget – Thank a Vet!

20 years of service

Helen Banks receives her 20 years of service pin from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29 Paris President Barry Humphrey

——

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29 Paris recently presented Helen Banks with her 20-year service pin, celebrating two decades of unwavering commitment to her community.

Helen’s journey began in 2004 when then-President Morris Croome asked her to be the branch Secretary.

Helen’s dedication to helping others stems from her father, a decorated veteran and Lance Corporal in the Highland Light Infantry of Toronto. He shared cherished stories with Helen of giving chocolate to children in Holland during his service—tales that still warm her heart.

“By supporting the Legion,” Helen shares, “I feel close to my dad.”

With her sights set on reaching 25 years of service, Helen’s inspiring legacy continues to shine as Branch 29 approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, proving that true service builds connections one event and one heartfelt tribute at a time.

Thank you Helen!

October Smokehouse

Thank You to Our Volunteers: A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who made our Summer BBQ a success — your dedication made every event run smoothly. Special recognition goes to Sue Bohar for her outstanding efforts and leadership!

What’s Coming Up:

Friday Night Suppers return soon — watch for bulletins at the Legion. We hope to feature some new kitchen talent — stay tuned for menus and dates.
Weekly Events:

o Tuesdays to Friday: Darts, Pool, Euchre.

o Sundays: Football with Jack Kirby at the bar

100th Anniversary Plans are underway. Stay tuned for many exciting events to mark this milestone.

Donations & Fundraising:

· The Lottery Fund donated $500 each to Wheels on Wheels and Ringette of Paris.

· The Elimination Draw is in progress, and an early bird draw happens this weekend. Get your tickets soon!

· Katy Osborne‑Howie is the executive in charge of the Lottery — contact her for details.

November 11 and Cenotaph Construction:

· The construction for the cenotaph is on schedule and should be ready for our full-scale Remembrance Day ceremonies.

· Earl MacDonald is the executive overseeing the project — contact him with any questions or concerns.

· We are accepting donations (via transfers) for:

o General Fund

o Poppy Fund

o 100th Anniversary Fund

o Building Fund

Branch Renovation Plans:

Our goal this year is to install a lift to the second floor, enabling access for members and guests who can’t manage stairs. It’s essential to keep Branch 29 fully operational and inclusive.

If you’d like a full breakdown of needs, costs, and plans, please call Barry at 705‑872‑2348 for a comprehensive review.

Thank you,

President Barry Humphrey

Coming Events

October 18^th: We have a band 5-830 sausage on a bun/ potato chips available for purchase

October 24^th: Trivia 7-9

October 25^th: Pool tournament starts at 11.30

October 31^st: Halloween party/dress up $10 admission 8-11 pm prizes/raffle table, 50/50.

Anniversary Committee

The Anniversary Committee is sending out a special and huge thank you to all who participated in the Poppy Stitch Along on Sept. 20th. The legion was filled with over 2500 knitted and crocheted poppies along with the sounds of enthusiastic stitchers. Gratitude goes out to Donna Campbell for talking about her fibre art quilt, to Sidney Moran the talented crocheter for sharing her skills, to Sue Mcfadden Humphrey and her troupe of young workers (Bella, Victoria, Belle and Moxen) for attaching the poppies to the netting.

A collaboration with the Paris Branch – County of Brant Public Library and the Paris Museum and Historical Society included two displays of Paris heritage. What fun to see pictures and letters from the past. Kudus to Emma Johnston and Tina Lyon for sharing their artifacts.

This event was part of Ontario Culture Days. Your Anniversary Committee worked hard to bring this event to the legion and is designed to have the poppies ready for display for .our anniversary in October 2026. Keep on the lookout for more events.

Poppy Campaign

September 21, 2025

Dear Comrades,

The Royal Canadian Legion Br. 29 Poppy Committee will be conducting their annual campaign commencing Friday October 31 st . Poppy boxes will be placed at local businesses starting from that date thru to Tuesday Nov.11 th . Last year over $25,000 was raised and we have donated over $22,000 to help Veterans and promote Youth Education this year.

The Poppy Fund is the Legion’s way of remembering the DEBT WE OWE TO THOSE WHO SACRIFICED SO MUCH.

We will be having our members canvassing at local business this year. There will be a sign-up sheet on the notice board at the Branch, and I ask all members to consider volunteering for a shift.

Member donations can be mailed to the above address, cheques, cash may be dropped off at Branch #29. Receipts for income tax will be prepared and mailed out to those donating $5.00 or more.

If you have any questions on the campaign or on purchasing wreaths phone the Branch number shown above.

Your continued support of the Poppy campaign is appreciated.

Earl MacDonald
POPPY CHAIR
226-387-0729

(Envelopes will be available at the branch for donations, please provide complete address, including name of person donating).

Royal Canadian Legion Paris Branch 29 Supports Community with Generous Donations

On behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion Paris Branch 29, we are proud to share an update on our recent contributions to the community.

Branch 29 has donated $500 to the Paris Ringette Association and $500 to the Meals on Wheels program.

Ringette, a dynamic winter sport created in North Bay, Ontario in 1963, has been played in Paris for decades. Paris Thunder Ringette continues to bring this exciting game to our local community. Learn more at parisringette.com

The Meals on Wheels program, based out of the Paris Fairgrounds, prepares and delivers meals to 51 recipients, with 4 individuals currently on the waiting list. More details can be found here: tinyurl.com/ParisMealsOnWheels

These initiatives highlight the Legion’s ongoing commitment to supporting the people and organizations that make Paris stronger.

We extend our thanks to all members, volunteers, and patrons. Your continued support makes it possible for Branch 29 to give back directly to our community.