Legion Ladies Auxiliary celebrates 75 years

Tim Brody - Editor

The Royal Canadian Legion, Edwin Switzer Memorial, Branch 78’s Legion Ladies Auxiliary is celebrating their diamond anniversary, 75 years of supporting the Legion and the community.
 Information previously provided by Ladies Auxiliary President Charron Sippola, from Volume One of Sioux Lookout’s local history book, Tracks beside the Water, informs, “The formation of the Ladies Auxiliary was spearheaded by a very energetic lady – Mrs. Janet Dixon who persuaded several other ladies to join her one Sunday evening, January 13th, 1949 to be precise to meet with two Legionnaires who outlined how helpful the ladies could be to the Branch. The aims and objectives of such an organization would be to encourage, promote, engage in or support all forms of national, provincial, municipal or community service or any charitable or philanthropic purpose. These aims and objectives are still to the forefront today.
“From that discussion these sixteen enterprising ladies arranged their second meeting for February 27th at which time an Executive was nominated.”
The Legion Ladies Auxiliary’s first executive consisted of Mrs. Janet Dixon – President, Mrs. Pat Oslund – 1st Vice-President, Mrs. Albert Wren – 2nd Vice-President, Miss Peggy Baragar – Secretary, Mrs. Betty Morrison – Treasurer, Mrs. Stella Campbell – Warden, Mrs. Mary Fines – Social Convenor, Mrs. Laura Switzer and Mrs. Verna Eady – Sick Visiting.
The information Sippola provided goes on to state, “These ladies realized the first thing they had to do was raise some money and what better way to do this than to have a Bake Sale at the YMCA on March 26th. A profit of $66.20 was realized. From the proceeds the first charitable donation was made. More funds were raised with numerous bake sales, card games, selling of hot dogs and lemonade at dances.”
Tracks beside the Water noted that, “In October 1977, members of the Hudson Auxiliary decided to affiliate with Sioux Lookout.
“Over the years, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary has undertaken many charitable endeavours, which have included, sick visiting, charitable donations, CARE Packages, assistance to needy families, and Christmas and Easter hampers.”
Earlier this year, as a result of their fundraising efforts, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary was able to donate funds to the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Foundation to purchase a longer bed to more comfortably accommodate taller patients.
Just recently the Legion Ladies Auxiliary donated $15,000 to the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Foundation to help make an MRI unit at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre a reality.
The hardworking members of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary celebrated their 75th anniversary on Nov. 2 in the Upper Legion Hall during their annual Remembrance Day Tea. The Remembrance Day Tea has been a yearly tradition dating back to 1953.
Sippola shared, “I thought it was great. I was pleased with the crowd. The people that came, they seemed to enjoy it.”
More than 100 people attended the event where they were served tea, coffee, sandwiches, and dainties by members of 270 Otter Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
The cadet squadron posted on their Facebook Page, “270 Otter Cadets had a great afternoon of serving at today’s Legion Ladies Auxiliary Remembrance Day Tea. 
“Not only did they get the opportunity to support a great cause, meet new people, and serve their community, they also earned high school volunteer hours while doing so.”
Sippola said the help of the cadets was greatly appreciated, “I would like to thank the cadets because they did an awesome job. They were just the best.”
Sippola said it was nice to have a full crowd out for the event, “It was good. We had some of our older members but we had some new members working and I think it worked out okay.”